Parents cry foul over rooster ban
IRWIN, Pa. (AP) — A township that gave a girl a prize for having the “Most Unusual Pet” — a rooster — now says she has to get rid of the bird because zoning laws don’t allow farm animals in a residential area.
The parents of 13-year-old Melissa Hensler said they may file a lawsuit to fight the zoning decision by North Huntingdon Township officials.
Melissa has raised the rooster, named Sundae, and eight other chickens for six years. Two years ago, Sundae won first place in the “Most Unusual Pet” contest co-sponsored by the township.
But the prize “is no substitute for township law,” said code enforcement officer David Stitt.
“Chickens are farm animals. You can call them pets if you like, but they are still fowl,” Stitt said.
Parents Barb and Don Hensler said the trouble started in July when a neighbor complained they were raising chickens.
The Henslers contend the animals are pets, but a township board rejected their request for a zoning exception. Now they plan to take their case to Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court.
“I’ve already spent $250 for the first appeal. These chickens are not worth that much — maybe $1.75 or $2 — if you sold them,” Don Hensler said. “We were just asking the township to allow us to keep our pets until they pass on.”
Hensler said chickens typically live eight to 10 years.
“If I had to get rid of them, it would be like losing part of me,” Melissa said. “I would be losing my children.”