Virginia Beach poultry prosecution questioned
Wednesday - 1/30/2013, 11:08am ET
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Civil liberties attorneys are defending a Virginia Beach woman who was told by city officials she could not raise chickens on her property.
The Rutherford Institute says it is challenging in state Supreme Court a city inspector's conclusion that Tracy Gugal-Okroy violated a zoning ordinance by having chickens on her suburban property. She describes the birds as pets and a source for organic eggs.
Rutherford lawyers say she appealed the city's decision and ultimately was cited and faces a possible fine. The Circuit Court sided with the city, concluding the chickens were being kept in violation of the zoning ordinance.
The Rutherford Institute says Gugal-Okroy should not be treated as a criminal simply because she keeps chickens.
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