Politics & Government
ICYMI: DC Mayor Bans Chickens: Report
Mayor Muriel Bowser has reportedly closed a loophole that allowed D.C. residents to keep chickens as "common cage birds."
Editor's note: This article was originally posted last week.
WASHINGTON, DC — If your backyard's a-cluckin', local authorities may come a-knockin'.
D.C. has decided to clarify that owning chickens within city limits is against the law, so anyone hoping to have their own daily fresh eggs in District limits will have to give up their hobby or face a fine.
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As part of the 2018 budget, Mayor Muriel Bowser moved to close a loophole in the city's animal control law that allowed owners of chickens to classify them as pets, according to a WAMU report.
The change proposes to clarify that when the law states that "common cage birds" are allowed, it doesn't include chickens.
Find out what's happening in Washington DCfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The move comes on the heels of a legal battle by a couple who were fined by the Department of Health for keeping four chickens in their backyard in Chevy Chase. The couple, who are both attorneys, sued the city arguing that chickens count as common cage birds.
Image via Flickr user Andrei Niemimaki
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