law enforcement officer came today...

[MaryOfExeter]

While reading over this thread my first question was, if you live in city limits, did you have a permit to even build the loft in the first place?
Many places you cannot build buildings of certain sizes without permission.
If it was ME, I would go straight to my neighbors and ask what it was about my birds they had a problem with, and try to reason with them. I'd tell then that my beloved birds are about to be taken away and babies possibly killed. I'd also ask them if they'd PLEASE complain to ME first, before brining the law into it. If they would have consulted you first, you might have been able to arrange something before you were put in this situation

Sometimes I think some officers will say anything to get complaining people to shut up. Like trying to convince you your birds ARE wild animals so that you will get rid of them, pleasing the neighbors and giving the officers peace.

Someone needs to let them know that your pigeons are not wild, and give them reasons or proof that they are not. If you got your birds from a breeder, who you can name, then that will help in your domestic vs. wild argument. I hope that your birds are banded? Unbanded birds really can't be proven yours and could easily be taken as ferals you caught from the city. If they're fancy breeds, that scratches off the 'looks like a feral' problem but still, unbanded you can't prove they were really bred domestic.

[jang786]

here is the most updated municipal codes for my city, so do you guys think this is enough information to tell that i could keep pigeons?

[Columba livia!]

Gosh Jang, I lust got back home from camp! I'm so sorry to come home and read this! I'll pray for you and your birds!! Keep me informed!

[DEEJAY7950]

What ever happened to this little GEM that our forefathers wrote " The pursuit of happiness shall not be infringed upon! Down with big government

[maryjane]

I hope everything works out for you!! It looks good so far with all this support, I'm sure it will turn out okay. Keep us posted and as was mentioned, make sure your loft is clean enough to eat off the floor . Good luck.

[jameswaller]

cities have what is called"code enforcement/or compliance officers",yes,you should have received a copy of the complaint,-.it is going to be an uphill battle as my earlier reply mentions,..if he said he would be back in a week-expect it-,this really sounds like scare tactics,but do not take this lightly,.get very knowledge able of the area,codes,/talk with city hall,/a lawyer./.the time given is not a week,more like a month/and generally work with the homeowner,.before they start penalizing/fineing someone,/.how visible is your aviary to j.q.public,.do you have a large garage,/big attic-what j.q.public cannot see won,t hurt them,..my heart goes out to you because i have delt with these people before,,and am gearing up for another round--like rocky5-,,sincerely james waller

[Telessa]

I really hope everything works out for you Jang! The whole thing is so unfair to begin with.

After reading all this, I realize that there needs to be more media coverage for pigeon fanciers. Not to mention clearer codes written by city, town, county. People who are racing club presidents could invite the local media to see a loft, see a training session, see a race. Explain the history and heroics of these birds when given the chance! Recently, a woman in my "area" was on the local news with her homing pigeons and people were paying attention, they were very interested (happens to be the lady that sold me my first birds). Also, my town newsletter is featuring me and my birds in August.

Thankfully, I live very rual and I can keep chickens, geese ,ducks, and pigeons.

But, at what point is that right going to get taken away! It is a scary thought!

[Mindy]

Its really sad that you are going through this jang. I mean your really young and your doing something that is good, your not one of those kids out making trouble, doing drugs, instead you just want to take care of your pigeons and there are still people out there that want to make trouble for you. Very sad. I really hope you get to keep your birds. Don't give up, they may just want to scare you because your young. No your stuff when they show up again. Don't let them intimidate you. min

[Jay3]

This is really scary, as it could happen to many of us. And they way they keep changing the laws, people who can have birds, well, that could change any time. You'd think they had something better to do than make such a fuss about a little flock of birds. Everyjbody is right though jang. Learn as much as you can, so that you can defend your keeping of birds when they come back. Just be sure of all the facts. Good luck. I truly hope that everything works out well for you.

[pattersonk2002]

What is the code on the size of your stucture and when was this code written? Even if there is a stucture size limit now you may have built it before the change or may be withen the allowable limits, if you are legal in these areas then yes you can keep (ten) your birds withen the code. You my also be able to keep more if:

You owned your birds before this code was rewritten or if you want to go over ten and have more then A 1/2 acre of land you might try raising them as commercial, just a thought I am sure some clubs are incorparated and it would all be on paper anyway.

Sounds to me that if you keep your cool about it you are well within your rights, like somone had said, I would talk to your neighbors first and make friends with the complainer, maybe cut there grass or somthing to help them out, I know I am more reseonable with people that help me

[ND Cooper]

I would just let the law, and common sense dictate.
I Certainly would NOT try to butter up the neighbors by doing favors, for anything. Especally my neighbors!
If anything, in the end, you, and your neighbors will know the law, no matter what.
Freedom is worth fighting for!
Conning your neighbors is not. That's just a poor cover up.
Sure I try to get along with my neighbors, but when they try to take advantage of me, Well, that's Different.
They are on their side of the fence, and I'm on mine, and they can stay on their side!
Decifer the laws of your community, if you can't, get a lawyer. Don't try to pull one over on a lawyer, or your neighbors, It won't work, and it's too late for that anyways.
Stand up for your rights!
Easy to say, hard to do.

[jang786]

i asked all of my neigbhors that live around me and they said none of them complained and one of the guy was even interesting in knowing about pigeons.. if its not the neigbhors then i wonder who it is, might be the people that live further than me?

[Keith C.]

Many people would not admit to complaining, so I would not necessarilly believe them when they said they did not complain.
Keith

[Pigeon lower]

Im glad everyone around me likes my birds, i dont have a permit either. I even have a crime stoppers guy who lives near me and is intrested in see'ing my birds.

[Missouri_pigeon]

I am sure one of your neighbors complained. It had to be someone who can see your loft.

Also, dont ever try to butter up the neighbors. It doesnt work out for anyone but the neighbors. They would be basically blackmailing you.

Not worth it.

If worse comes to worse and you have to dispose of your flock. Hand feed the babies. Then you will have attached pets anyway.