Oxford man fighting to keep chickens

The city of Oxford has told a Gulf War Veteran that he must get rid of his chickens citing  a city ordinance plainly states livestock, fowl and rabbits are not allowed in the city limits, and are considered a public nuisance. Thomas Lamb said he bought the chickens almost two years ago to help him with his post-traumatic stress disorder. But the animals have since become like members of the family. They’ve become favorite pets of his four daughters. And they provide him fresh eggs everyday.  Mike Roberts, a oxford city building inspector, said an anonymous complaint from a resident prompted the city to take note of Lamb’s chickens, but Lamb said he has no idea who could have sent the letter. He said he routinely gives his chickens’ eggs to neighbors and has never been on bad terms with anyone in the neighborhood.  Lamb said Animal Control gave him one month to get rid of his chickens, but he hopes he can talk to city officials about letting him keep them. Ideally, he said, he’d like to see the City Council change the law to allow backyard chickens as pets.