By Phil Riske, managing editor
A bill sponsored by Sen. David Farnworth, R-Mesa, would provide every homeowner with the chance to own a chicken and other fowl such as peacocks or ducks. SB 1151 would bar cities from banning backyard fowl.
“Someone who has limited funds might be tempted to use food stamps. But there are many people who feel like they’d like to raise their own food rather than become dependent on government,” Farnsworth told Cronkite News.
The so-called “chicken bill” has sparked debate about uncleanliness of fowl and property rights.
The fight is said to be over a person’s right to own chickens versus a neighbor’s right to not deal with chicken noises, smells or feathers.
Wrong.
This is a case of fowl discrimination.
Representing all fowl suitable for a back yard, I file the following with the court of public opinion:
“Dogs and cats do not have feathers, nor do they lay eggs, but they make noise and leave odiferous evidence of their presence. I submit you cannot constitutionally permit these four-legged friends to freely roam their property and at the same time deny Col. Sanders’ favorite creature the same privilege.
The defense rests.
