A Detroit Family is having trouble because of their goats. Someone complained and Animal Control took their animals. They were being kept from even seeing the animals, but the city has given in and they will get to see them.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-couple-...l-officers
I think it is a bylaw issue. It seems unfair since the goats were being well looked after and seemed quite happy. Sometimes I think we have way too many laws.
(11-04-2014, 04:41 PM)Catherine Wrote: [ -> ]I think it is a bylaw issue. It seems unfair since the goats were being well looked after and seemed quite happy. Sometimes I think we have way too many laws.
Ah yes! America, land of the free again....
I don't know about the USA, but in Europe urban farms are very popular, as they give city children the opportunity to see farm animals at close hand, which otherwise they might not have the chance to do. So if urban farms are OK, why can't private individuals with very large gardens ("yards" as the Americans call them) have a few farm animals? Of course, the land would have to be big enough, and welfare standards would have to be met. But otherwise, what is the problem, except for cockerels waking people up in the morning? (Afterthought: I suspect that a cockerel crowing in the early morning might have been the reason why they were reported....)
They certainly had enough space and they were pygmy goats anyhow. You would think neighbours wouldn't mind the odd rooster crowing.
Their animals were well looked after. Why don't they bother the many people who buy a dog and leave it chained in the yard without proper care. Of course if you interfere with that you can get in trouble. It is a mixed up set of laws that protect some animal owners(even when they neglect their animals) and interfere with other animals owners(even though their animals were well cared for).
If they had been on a farm and the goats were not only neglected, but treated badly, they would have been alright and in some states
ag gag laws would go after anyone who reported them. It makes no sense.
This is really horrible. But I have been hearing of some horror stories from across the Pond....where (and I have forgotten which states now) -people have been forbidden to grow their own vegetables! Or create their own electricity! Or collect their own water! And in fact, have been fined for doing so!
To me, that sounds rather like Soviet Russia!
Quote:This is really horrible. But I have been hearing of some horror stories from across the Pond....where (and I have forgotten which states now) -people have been forbidden to grow their own vegetables! Or create their own electricity! Or collect their own water! And in fact, have been fined for doing so!
It is called living "off the grid". They want it to be illegal because people who are self sufficient do not pay all kinds of utility bills and taxes and stuff.
Weird, you would thing it would be better if people knew how to look after themselves.
Ha! goodness knows what might happen if people started thinking for/providing for themselves! There'd be no-one left to toe lines!
It's not possible to live all numbed-up mentally and emotionally once we start thinking for ourselves and taking responsibility for our own lives. Numbed-up is what the 'powers that be' want!
I could understand a fine, if projects were deemed unsafe for some reason, or did not follow building or other regulations for safety.
(11-08-2014, 07:14 AM)Tobi Wrote: [ -> ]Ha! goodness knows what might happen if people started thinking for/providing for themselves! There'd be no-one left to toe lines!
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How true!
I feel sorry for some if/when the day comes that we do have to fend for ourselves. So many will be totally helpless.
Having lived in both the city and the country [USA}, I would much rather have a couple of goats next door than many dogs I have had the displeasure of living next to.
Okay, maybe I'm prejudiced buttttttttt......., my goats don't bark incessantly. Their poop doesn't stink and it's not messy [like little bunny pellets, they are], they don't dig holes, and I could go on and on, but I digress..............
Could someone define "freedom" for me please, lol!!
I would even be okay with a few chickens and a rooster next door. At least they would not have late night parties. All that wonderful poop would guarantee really great roses in my garden.
We need to have some sense of perspective about things. A few clean, well cared for pygmy goats do not warrant a complaint. It was heavy handed to come in and just take them. They could have been given a warning.
Some day we might wish that more people knew how to look after themselves. Good thing so many of you live in the country.
Even in the city it can be done. As resourceful as you are Catherine, I have no doubt you would do just fine.....orrrrrr.........you could always pay us a visit and try out some midwestern hillbilly cuisine, lol!!