Unclaimed chickens wander Phoenix

PHOENIX, March 9 (UPI) -- Officials in Phoenix said they lack options for dealing with a flock of about five chickens recently spotted roaming a neighborhood.

Lynelle Nowlin, 63, said he has lobbied Phoenix and Maricopa County officials to get rid of the chickens, which he described as a nuisance, but they said they have no power to deal with the free-ranging fowl, The Arizona Republic reported Tuesday.

"The chickens are proliferating," Nowlin said. "This is not the way our neighborhoods are supposed to be."

Gary New, area supervisor for the Phoenix Neighborhood Preservation Division, said the division's inspectors can only take action if the chickens belong to someone or a resident is feeding them. He said the city has no rules for dealing with wild chickens.

Maricopa County officials said state statute only allows them to take animal control actions against cats and dogs.

County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox said officials may contact farm groups with potential interest in trapping the birds if they are proven to be feral.