Fewer fowl satisfies Waitaki District Council

A much smaller collection of feathered friends roam in Herbert after police and the Waitaki District Council took action to reduce animal numbers. Photo / Shannon Gillies

The chickens have finally flown the coop.

In March, the Waitaki District Council and police responded to a complaint from a motorist about the danger posed to traffic on State Highway 1 by the animals kept at the Herbert roadside property of former chicken and pig farmer Wayne Richardson.

He said he kept about 60 chickens, geese and ducks and would go to court to defend his poultry against the council.

He was issued with a notice to cut his fowl flock to 12 by April 13, but that deadline came and went with no action from the council.

But in recent times, bird numbers at Mr Richardson's property have dropped.

He was not available for comment when the Otago Daily Times sought to find out how he was managing the council's order.

Earlier this year he claimed that when he bought the property he was told he could keep up to 100 animals and he also said people had dumped animals at his property.

Council regulatory services manager Lichelle Guyan said the council staff could not distinguish between "dumped" animals or poultry once they entered Mr Richardson's property.

"Council has suggested Mr Richardson consider constructing a suitable fence on the property boundary to prevent animals wandering out of, or into the premises."

She said the council had taken no further action against Mr Richardson as he "significantly reduced" the number of birds on the property and reduced the likelihood of any nuisance.

Council officers would generally only consider taking action where excess poultry numbers were linked to an ongoing nuisance, Mrs Guyan said.

"Council officers are monitoring the property from time to time and we are hopeful no further issues will arise."

- Otago Daily Times