LOCAL

Chickens, ducks, dogs, marijuana plants seized from Lansing home

Ken Palmer
Lansing State Journal

LANSING - Animal control officers raided a home on Lansing's near west side on Tuesday, seizing dozens of animals that included chickens, ducks and dogs.

A home on West Michigan Avenue in Lansing where authorities seized marijuana plants, ducks, chickens, and pit bull puppies according to a resident, Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 18, 2018.

The agency removed 82 chickens, four ducks, one turkey and five dogs from a residence on West Michigan Avenue, just west of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, said Kate Turner, the shelter's interim deputy director.

Clarence Walker, who sells organic chickens and eggs from the property, said animal control officers and Lansing police showed up Tuesday morning with a search warrant pertaining to poultry.

They seized an unknown number of chickens, along with several pit bull puppies and marijuana plants that police said were not properly secured, he said. Walker also indicated he had goats.

Turner said no goats were on the property when animal control officers arrived, even though complaints filed with the agency indicated goats were being kept there.

Animal control officials had previously talked with people at the property and informed them of the rules concerning livestock, Turner said.    

Lansing police Public Information Director Robert Merritt said Lansing officers assisted animal control officers who were serving a search warrant. He confirmed that animals were seized and that Lansing police confiscated some marijuana plants after determining they were not being kept in compliance with medical marijuana caregiver rules.

No one was arrested, Merritt said. Police will forward reports to the county prosecutor's office, which will determine if criminal charges are warranted, he said.

The backyard of a home on west Michigan Avenue, pictured Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, after authorities seized marijuana plants, ducks, chickens, and pit bull puppies according to a resident.

Homeowners are allowed to keep up to five hens under a county ordinance that covers the city of Lansing. Ducks, turkeys and goats are not permitted in residential areas, officials said.

Walker said he didn't know how many chickens he had on his property but acknowledged it was more than a dozen. The chickens provide food for his household and others in the neighborhood, he said.

"They came and took our food," he told reporters after police and animal control officers had left. "We're not allowed to feed ourselves."

Walker has a miniature pantry in his front yard where he leaves free food for anyone who needs it. Signs in his yard advertise organic chicken, fresh eggs and pumpkins for sale.

Neighbors said the animals also functioned as a petting zoo for children.

"He does this for the neighborhood," neighbor Shirley Mitchell said, pointing toward the miniature pantry. "This is free." 

Remnants of an outdoor garden at a home on W. Michigan Avenue in Lansing.  Authorities seized the plants, ducks, chickens, and pit bull puppies Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 18, 2018.

Lansing follows an Ingham County ordinance that allows up to five hens at a residential property. The hens must be caged, and butchering the birds is not permitted.

City Council President Carol Wood said Tuesday she doesn’t anticipate members will consider an ordinance allowing goats anytime soon.

“When you look at the proximity of many houses in our neighborhoods, it’s not like you have large fields like you have in the country,” Wood said. “We understand the fact that people are looking at different ways to produce fresh milk and things like that, but I would encourage them to work with the (Ingham County) Land Bank where they have property that’s outside the city limits which might afford them to do those types things.”

Turner said the shelter has the space to house the birds and dogs, although the five new dogs puts it at its capacity for dogs.

The shelter is offering discounted adoptions on cats and dogs because it has so many, she said.

The owner of the animals will have 15 days to claim the livestock and seven business days to claim the dogs before they become shelter property, she said. 

Eric Lacy contributed to this report.

Contact Ken Palmer at (517) 377-1032 or kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.