Allow Backyard Chicken & Waterfowl in London, Ontario

Allow Backyard Chicken & Waterfowl in London, Ontario

Started
December 22, 2020
Petition to
Signatures: 1,501Next Goal: 2,500
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Why this petition matters

Started by Paige Berrigan

 

The City of London, Ontario should allow backyard chicken & waterfowl to be kept by responsible owners inside city limits.

Per London bylaws and Definitions:
2.3 Class 2 animal
"Class 2 animal" shall mean chicken, goose, turkey, duck and any domestic fowl.
6.1 Keeping - within City - prohibited
The keeping of Class 2 animals within the municipal boundaries of the City of London is prohibited.
 
I found articles from 2017 mentioning pilot projects were in action to allow class 2 animals within city boundaries, but alas almost 4 years later I have not seen any update.
 
I support keeping chickens in city yards. I encourage the City of London to amend its bylaws and allow responsible ownership of certain livestock in city limits, including chickens & other waterfowl. This act is a not only a bold & environmentally responsible step for the city, but also will set a precedence for other cities to make similar motions in the future, while keeping up with other cities across our country. 
Backyard chickens have many benefits for the individual pet owner, and for the city as a whole. Chickens will reduce the quantity of fertilizers sprayed on lawns as they produce a nitrogen rich fertilizer. They reduce the stress load on municipal waste disposal as chickens consume kitchen scraps and waste. Chickens & waterfowl will improve people’s overall health and well-being by providing nutritious food, education for the youth of the city, and pleasure and enjoyment for all.
Allowing backyard chickens will have a significant impact on animal welfare. People will have a better appreciation for this animal by understanding their behavior and characteristics. And it will allow people to stop supporting unethical and inhumane factory poultry farms.
 
Chickens have been present in backyards large and small in cities, small towns, and rural areas from time immemorial. Hens are not inherently farm animals, any more than dogs or rabbits are. We ask that they be removed from the cities definition of restricted animals, and included in the definition of household pets. 

Many cities across the country have already permitted chickens or began pilot projects to encourage backyard birds, including Vancouver, Victoria, Whitehorse, Edmonton, Toronto and many more. As the elected representative of the people, I encourage you to make this important step forward and allow backyard chickens in London.
 
I know that across out city there are many people who feel the same way, and I would be happy to get together a list of names to petition the change of this bylaw. It is time for London to more towards more sustainable urban agricultural practices, and I know changing this bylaw would be a great step for our city.
 

 

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Signatures: 1,501Next Goal: 2,500
Support now
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