Kenbridge Resident Wants All Town Animals Restricted

KENBRIDGE – “I feel like you are discriminating against chicken owners.” These were the words of Kenbridge resident Jimmy Daniel who addressed town council members and asked that the same restrictions facing chicken owners also be used for cat and dog owners.

After looking at similar situations in neighboring areas and other localities in the state, Kenbridge Town Council members recently finalized a “Chicken Ordinance” for the town that put some restrictions on having the animals in town limits.

After much discussion on the subject and even public hearings, the group decided to have a $25 permit fee annually and a $150 fine if regulations are not followed. The committee recommended that owners can only have four hens and no rooster, the chickens must be kept at least 15 feet from any property line and they are not allowed when the property has less than 5,000 square feet or is a multi-family housing location.

Daniel says that if council members are going to have these restrictions and fees in place, then they should also use the same when it comes to cats and dogs around and inside the town limits. He stated, “If those animals are in town then they should have to pay for a permit as well.”

Kenbridge Mayor Emory Hodges said that the ordinance committee would further discuss the ideas brought up by Daniel and have some recommendations on the matter at a later date.