While the Waterloo Hen Association issue has brought the bylaw into the spotlight, it is due for a review either way, said Coun. Diane Freeman. The move doesn‘t answer the question of legality of residential livestock, but city staff will review the bylaw and bring recommenâ€" dations back to council. he debate over whether or not Waterâ€" I loo residents should be allowed to raise chickens in their backyards prompted council to mandate a full review of the city‘s animalâ€"control bylaw Monday night. 4 + WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Crowing about chickens gets council to review bylaw By Grec MacDonaLp Chronicle Staff _ "The issue has been raised, we can‘t walk away from it," he said. "We have p But the chicken question will still be an important part of the review, said Coun. lan McLean. The current animalâ€"conâ€" trol bylaw has gone over a decade without review and deals mainly with dogs, said David Calder, general manâ€" ager of corporate services. "I was hoping that as part of this process _ sides of the we (would) not just look at fowl but update the bylaw," â€" thessy oi * "Chickens are has been CHRâ€"EAAOE + BT R§00OCIOHONE "Hens might look differâ€" walk away ent and eat different food "We have people on both _ (than cats or dogs) and they happen to lay pepmpommmmppommpommmpmmmmommommmmmemaes â€" CEES that can be eaten," he said. "Chickens are the same as other pets. Dogs and cats are all susceptible to diseases." Founder of the Waterloo Hen Association â€" Matthew Baileyâ€"Dick issue who want an answer one way or another." Raising chickens is no difâ€" ferent than raising other pets, said hen association founder Matthew Baileyâ€" Dick Members of the Waterloo Hen Association, a group of about 100 local residents who want to raise chickens in their backyard, presented their arguments to council on Monday night. "In a short while, chicken raising will be common here, kids will love it, fresh eggs will be on the table and we can lighten up our neighbourhoods," he said. Michalenko toid council that they need ed to help the city lighten up. Banning citizens from raising chickens would just be a tightening of the municipaliâ€" ty‘s already strong grip, Michalenko added. "We have a lot of upti'ght rules in this city," he said. Besides, chicken coops were once comâ€" monplace in Waterloo backyards, said hen association member Greg Michalenko. other pets. Dogs and cats are all susceptible to diseases. Those who choose to have chickens would need to be sure they know what those diseases and pathogens are about," Baileyâ€"Dick said.