The Baucums Sue to Keep Pet Chickens

A Shreveport couple has sued the city over its order to get rid of the chickens they keep as pets at their home.

The City Council in November told Mary and Ralph Baucum they couldn't keep their three hens in pens behind their house. Having lost at city hall, the Baucums has appealed to a Caddo District Court judge, asking him to "spot zone" their property to allow them to keep raising three to four chickens.
Pet Chicken

The Baucums for years have kept about half a dozen hens as pets in a pen behind their house. But a neighbor complained to the city, saying the birds infected her dog with an illness stemming from bird droppings.

The Metropolitan Planning Commission last fall approved a zoning variance that allowed the Baucums to keep hens as pets. That was appealed to the City Council, which overruled the MPC.

Ralph Baucum says several friends have offered to take their chickens.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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