December 14, 2007

PENNSYLVANIA – After making their third appeal, Melissa Hensler and her parents were successful in defeating a Huntingdon, Pa., ordinance that said she'd have to get rid of her pet chickens.

We reported last week that the city council ruled against Melissa – and gave her 30 days to re-home her nine birds.

But following that ruling, the Hensler's hired a lawyer and filed the appeal that we're reporting on today.

According to the Tribune-Review, the family challenged the law based on the vagueness of the law's definition of pets and fowl.

Commissioner George Fohner said the definition of pets are animals or fowl that are normally kept in the home. The Hensler's demonstrated the birds are pets, he said, making it clear that the case should be ruled in their favor.

The commission voted 6-1, and noted that it may have to amend the town's laws regarding pets, farm animals and where they can be kept.

Melissa says this is her Christmas gift, she doesn't care if she gets anything else.

This case first came up in August, when a neighbor's complaints about the chickens lead to an inquiry by the town commission. It was the first challenge to the Hensler's ownership of the animals.

Ironically, just a year earlier, one of the birds named Sundae was named the township's “most unique pet.”

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