Not everyone who came to city council Tuesday night to talk about the animal bylaw wanted to discuss leashing dogs.
Neil Korotash, a former city councillor and high school teacher in Morinville, wants the city to allow homeowners to keep chickens in their backyards.
“I want to be able to have my own fresh eggs every day – they are healthier and tastier and better for you (than mass produced eggs),” said Korotash. “I think it’s also a really good education tool to help people reconnect with where their food comes from.”
Next year Korotash will be teaching a course at Morinville Community High School on urban agriculture. He feels that allowing residents to keep a few hens, say three or four, would be beneficial for many residents.
“I think we should have the opportunity to do it,” said Korotash. “When I saw the animal bylaw, I thought it could be another 12 years before the animal bylaw comes back, so I should say something.”
The animal bylaw contains a note stating that animals such as chickens or pot-bellied pigs are not permitted as pets, but it is not the final authority on such matters. The city’s land use bylaw, which specifically lays out what land in St. Albert can and cannot be used for, forbids keeping livestock on residential property.
Some cities, such as Vancouver, Victoria and Guelph, allow residents to keep backyard chickens. In other communities, some residents keep them even though they are not permitted.
Korotash said keeping chickens makes more sense than keeping a dog, especially when it comes to noise.
“We’re not talking about roosters here. I think it makes a lot more sense than a dog barking in the backyard,” Korotash said.
Odour also isn’t a concern if you’re just keeping a few hens, said Korotash.
“There are some neat coops you can get for your chickens and backyard.”
He added it would also complement the city’s brand, which emphasizes cultivating and growing.
“I think there should be a lot more to (the brand) than putting some flowers on a boulevard,” Korotash said.
And Korotash already has one ally on council. Coun Cathy Heron said she doesn’t see the harm in keeping non-traditional animals like chickens, pot-bellied pigs or even pigeons.
“Just because you don’t like a pot-bellied pig doesn’t mean your neighbour doesn’t,” Heron said. She said she would bring something before council shortly to further discuss the issue.
Heron said she was even receiving emails earlier this year from a gentleman in Edmonton who kept pigeons as he was a member of a carrier pigeon society.
“They send messages back and forth, but why wouldn’t you let your neighbour do it? Is that a nuisance? I don’t know. I needs some reasons not to do it before I say no,” Heron said.
In the end Korotash just wants to be able to produce some of his own food. The city, however, might not be the final obstacle.
“I think it will be easier to convince council than to convince my wife,” Korotash laughed.
