Miami — If you want to keep a mule or an ostrich in your yard in Miami, you'd
better get it now before time runs out.
A proposed ordinance came before the Town Council Monday night that would make
it a criminal offense "to keep or cause to be kept any livestock or exotic
animals" in town.
Live stock is defined as "cattle, ox, horse, mule, burro, goat, sheep, swine,
ass or other similar animal."
Exotic animal is defined as "camel, emu, llama, ostrich, Vietnamese pot bellied
pig, and other unusual animal not commonly considered to be domestic."
Poisonous reptiles and dangerous amphibians are also non-gratis including
alligators and crocodiles.
Housing said cow or crocodile would result in up to a $2,500 fine or six months
in jail.
The proposal, which was listed on the agenda, drew the attention of a packed
house at the meeting as well as a small sheep who stood outside the town
chambers and bleated through much of the meeting in an attempt to make her
opinion known.
Mayor Rosemary Castaneda issued a warning to the irate public, who had already
sat through more than two hours of unrelated town business, before allowing them
to address the issue.
She advised them that they would not be allowed more than three minutes to speak
and they would not be allowed to address the council more than once on the
issue. "We're not going to do this up and down thing," she said.
Castaneda pointed out that the law exempts any animals that are already in town
when the law is passed.
Councilman Michael Black not only voiced his support for the proposed law but
said he would like to see geese, ducks and chickens added to it as well. "This
is a town," Black said. "When you have roosters and geese crowing in the
morning, that's annoying…A farm is where you raise livestock, not a town."
Councilman Don Reiman asked who had sponsored the proposed law.
Town manager Jerry Barnes, who refused to take responsibility for it, said code
enforcement officer Darryl Stubbs had asked to have the law introduced.
Castaneda argued in favor of the law. "Little towns used to be more rural than
they are now," she said. "We're getting a new sewer. We're getting new streets."
Vice Mayor Susan Hanson said she would like to see the proposal tabled so the
council can hear from more people.
Councilman Daryl Dalley said the town needs to separate the treatment of
livestock from exotic animals. "I don't think there's enough livestock that will
seriously damage our sewers and streets," he said.
Town resident Karen Donaldson-Webb got up to speak. "The town of Miami has been
there 100 years."
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