Chicken ordinance voted down

SOAP LAKE - An ordinance to allow chickens in the city limits failed with a 2-5 vote during a Wednesday night Soap Lake City Council meeting.

The ordinance was created to allow up to four hens per residence in Soap Lake. The hens would be allowed if they didn't violate other nuisance ordinances.

The ordinance was initially brought up to accommodate city residents who already have hens who are not causing any problems.

Soap Lake Police Department Chief Jim Dorris said there were several issues with the ordinance including enforcement and possible incoming problems.

"It's heavily lacking, maybe a little bit more thought should go into this," he said.

Dorris asked how the number of hens are recorded, permitted and who determines if the habitat is sufficient. He questioned whether there would be a fee imposed for violators and who determines the violation. How can neighbors contest the chickens and how are they removed, he asked.

"Not everybody is going to like having chickens next to their fence line," he said.

The chickens will attract more predatory animals including wild dogs, coyotes and skunks, Dorris said. Residents will have to change their daily lives to ensure their safety from the predatory animals concerning being bitten.

Several people in the audience agreed with the police chief.

The predatory animals will cause an increase in animal related calls for the police department, he said. The allowance of chickens could create more theft calls.

He said the same predatory animals are already after cats. Adding chickens and their eggs will attract more problems.

Dorris asked who would be at fault if a dog who never caused problems in the past began chasing a neighbor's chickens because they are there.

He was concerned because he expects citizens to ask the same questions he is asking.

"I will inevitably be faced with every single one of those," Dorris said.

Mayor Wayne Hovde agreed the ordinance needs to be refined and enforcement would be a problem.

"The police department is burdened dramatically with the cats and dogs," he said. "You're just doubling efforts."

Councilmembers Barney Berg and JoAnn Rushton said approval of the ordinance would be a step backward for the city.

Councilmembers DeVaun Black and Maynard Hagen voted to approve the ordinance.

At a previous council meeting all present councilmembers unanimously directed legal council to draft the ordinance to allow the hens.