To the editor:
My family has lived on our Mercer Road property since 1971.
We've always had dogs, horses and ducks, and I wanted my children to experience what I had growing up living in a safe, friendly neighbourhood. That's also why we've been very active in 4-H.
Three weeks ago, a Cariboo Regional District (CRD) bylaw officer visited my property. He informed me of a complaint a neighbour had filed against my family's four bantam chickens, or more precisely, our rooster.
The officer said I couldn't keep them because my acreage wasn't large enough.
I had no idea there were restrictions to keeping a small amount of chickens for pets.
During the visit, the officer noticed my daughter's pony and said it also had to go, too. My daughter is very upset over losing our pets.
I run a home-based daycare and all the children love the animals. It's been hard to explain to them why the chickens and pony have to go.
The bylaw officer said he usually encourages neighbours to try to work problems out for themselves. I can't help but feel that had the neighbour stopped by and expressed his or her dislike for my rooster, things may have turned out more positively for everyone involved.
People complain that kids today are up to no good. Animals teach us about responsibility, compassion and friendship, so not only did my children lose their pets and 4-H projects but also friends that were teaching them important life lessons.
Trish Griffin
100 Mile House
