Grump- Animal Ordinances Against Rabbits

[margali]

So being the OCD person I am, I looked up Baytown's animal ordinances again when I got the wild hare *HA* to get rabbits again. Apparently you must own a huge lot to have rabbits.

[Offense. Under this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly keep or maintain the following within the city limits: (2)Livestock, rabbits or fowl within 100 feet of a private residence the person has no right to occupy;]

Peons in subdivisions or apartments need not apply. But you can have a domestic ferret, gerbil, hamster, guinea pig, or laboratory mouse or rat!

I emailed the city clerk cause there has got some wiggle room in how this is actually applied. I want a few to show with kids for 4H not a 500 hole operation. Some times it sucks to do your due diligence. But I'm cautious about this kind of crap cause I rent. By the way, cats are specifically allowed to roam free in Baytown. No animal control worries if your escape artist succeeds.

 

[seedcorn]

What does landlord say?

 

[margali]

The lease pet policy addenda states resident must comply with all applicable states and local ordinances, laws, and homeowners' association rules. Otherwise, there are penalties up to getting evicted.

I knew I wouldn't be able to do goats or chickens here which is fine. Annoyed I'm finding this road block on what I consider a standard pet.

 

[baymule]

Is moving an option?

 

[margali]

Nope. Just moved in November and Alexander is starting to make friends. But I could have entire colony of cavy (guinea pigs) in the backyard. They make good pets.

 

[thistlebloom]

Sorry for the disappointment. It does seem odd that rabbits are restricted. I wonder what it would take to change the ordinance?
Being as mobile as you have been it may not be worth fightingfor in a temporary location.

Does your 4H club do cavies?

 

[baymule]

What the heck is wrong with rabbits? Maybe animal right do-gooders shudder to think that people slaughter rabbits to feed their families?

 

[flowerbug]

Sorry for the disappointment. It does seem odd that rabbits are restricted. I wonder what it would take to change the ordinance?
Being as mobile as you have been it may not be worth fightingfor in a temporary location.

Does your 4H club do cavies?

i wonder if this is a hold-over from the rabbit troubles during the dust bowl era? like people don't want that happening again... i dunno, just a guess... or there was some disease being spread by rabbits at one time or ...?

 

[canesisters]

Am I not understanding it correctly.. can't you keep INDOOR rabbits? It's just the outdoor ones that are restricted?
Most likely, because someone somewhere made the smell an issue.

 

[ducks4you]

A hoarder's house full of dogs smells worse.