Letters to the Editor

Humane treatment of farm animals

Editor: Proposition 2, the Farm Animal Treatment Act, asks voters if they want to see farm animals treated humanely.
As for egg production the questions for consumers are: Will you pay a little more – an estimated 12 to 33 cents a dozen – for eggs from cage-free hens, and do you care that non cage-free chickens are kept grouped in battery cages that are so small the animal has no room to stretch, walk or spread its wings?
These are the only questions of concern. The Farm Animal Treatment Act asks consumers whether they will accept that chickens, calves and pigs during gestation are confined in cages or pens so extremely small the animals can barely move for their lifetime. How this act may or may not monetarily affect California farmers of these animals is not germane to the substance of the proposition.
Voters must decide if they want farm animals treated humanely or not. If you do, vote “yes” on Proposition 2.

Will Shonbrun
Sonoma

No twist ties, no spraying

Editor: One wonders if the CDFA would be well served if they just Googled light brown apple moth and checked out the Wikipedia link.
The LBAM has been present in California for at least thirty years without anyone losing their farms, orchards or vines.
So, why all the hysteria now? Follow the money. Who benefits from all these chemicals raining down on us? And who will be responsible for the healthcare of affected humans, pets, bees, birds, etc? Why, Sonoma County taxpayers, that’s who. And which is more damaging, a few mars in the pretty fruit or no fruit because all the pollinators are dead?
The people who live in Sonoma County say NO. No twist ties, without individual permission, and no aerial spraying of any kind. We’re tired of the legislation we’ve worked so hard for to protect our homes, schools, backyards, and wild places ignored just so some government body can come in, run roughshod over us and have no accountability.
Apparently the latex spines of Washington have “trickled down” to our local electeds, along with permanently installed earbuds.

Susan K. Baritell
Petaluma

Backyard chickens and rabbits

Editor: I would like to add my voice to the few citizens around the city who are in favor of revising poultry and rabbit regulations.
Discussion during the recent city council meeting did not mention the negative consequences of raising flocks of chickens in our city on postage-size lots. For starters: rodents, roaches, flies, disease, mites and lice. Consider this: would you want your next-door neighbor to introduce these nasty variables to your environment?
It is crazy to encourage city dwellers to keep more than eight rabbits and up to 20 chickens in small yards. Normally these animals are raised in a rural environment. The number of chickens in most cities is limited to three or four.
Some people think it is a novel idea to have chickens. They buy them and then when the novelty has worn off, or they run out of room, they dump them, usually in the Plaza. For some reason chickens get the boot.
My concern is chickens running free. Several years ago Sonoma had chickens roaming all over. They do not belong on the tops of cars at Bonanza Ford, crossing the front of the post office on Broadway, on busy streets, in the Plaza, on sidewalks, in Plaza shops or destroying beds of young greens and plants. What a nuisance! They can be aggressive and attack.
It should be unlawful for any person owning fowl to permit the same to run at large. And they should be fined. Who sees to it that the chickens are confined to pens? Is your neighbor really looking after their poultry? Who inspects the pens to make sure they are clean and sanitary and devoid of all rodents and vermin so disease does not spread? Chicken poop does smell! Placing a flock of chickens and rabbits closer to your neighbors would not be tolerated by close neighbors.
The owners should be registered and the chickens impounded if free to roam. Owners should pay for the costs and be fined.
What happens when the animals’ productive life ends? Where do they go?  Will owners have to learn to butcher chickens and rabbits?
Raising backyard chickens shouldn’t be taken lightly. I’ve nothing against chickens or rabbits at all, but I am against rodents and the objectionable material that comes with raising the animals.
I agree with Councilmember Sebastiani’s suggestions on having roosters included – your chickens will give birth to beautiful baby chickens and keep your backyard farm growing.

Dorothy Ercolino
Sonoma