Chicken Supporters Meet with North Judson Town Council, As Animal Ordinance Review Continues

Posted on July 5, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

North Judson’s chickens will be allowed to stay for at least a while longer, as the town continues to review its animal ordinance. Residents filled North Judson Town Hall Monday, as chicken owner Sarah Burkett spoke out against the town council’s decision to more strictly enforce the ordinance. It currently prohibits residents from keeping chickens and other farm animals.

The two main questions are whether the chickens Burkett currently has were grandfathered in, and whether residents should be allowed to have chickens, in general. About 15 people, many of whom live within the town limits, spoke in favor of allowing chickens Monday. There was even a “Save the Chickens” sign.

Supporters of an “urban chicken ordinance” say it would give people the chance to produce their own food, provide educational opportunities for children, and make North Judson more attractive to new residents. Some people added that chickens are less of a nuisance than dogs. Burkett presented copies of animal ordinances from Valparaiso and Chesterton, which both allow chickens.

However, resident Kay Cummins opposed allowing Burkett’s chickens to stay. Cummins said that not having to live next to farm animals was one of the reasons her family chose to live in North Judson several decades ago. But beyond that, she said as long as the town has an ordinance, it should be enforced, whether people like it or not.

Town Attorney Justin Schramm said that council members have three options going forward. “As of right now – and I’m sure people in the room will disagree – it is a legal ordinance,” he explained. “However, the town council has the right and it should either universally enforce it, universally, repeal it, or replace it with something you think would be more palatable to individuals.”

The chicken debate has escalated in recent weeks, after residents complained that certain people were being allowed to keep the animals, even though they’re technically prohibited. The town council granted Burkett an exception six years ago, but there’s an ongoing debate about whether that still applies to the chickens she has now.

Council members voted last month to ban all remaining chickens after this month’s Starke County Fair, after Burkett failed to provide them with requested documentation on the matter. During Monday’s meeting, though, Burkett presented minutes from town council meetings when the issue was discussed in August of 2011. She also complained that town officials never contacted her directly.

However, council member John Rowe disputed Burkett’s claims that the town was singling her out. “None of us went out seeking her chickens or a problem,” he said. “There was an issue brought to the board, like any other issue in the community, brought to us five. We talk about the issue. We review the issue. We review the ordinance. We review everything, and then we sit and talk like we are here tonight. So nobody went over there and tried to maliciously go after these chickens. I’m not for or against it. I want to hear both sides and figure out what’s best for North Judson, and I think I can speak for everybody on that.”

Council members didn’t offer much input Monday, but said they would review the information before taking any action. Schramm said that it wasn’t necessary for Burkett to formally appeal the council’s decision to remove the chickens, since no citations have actually be issued yet.