Posted on 04/19/2006 9:53:35 PM PDT by blam
Key West orders signature feral fowl off its streets
Wed Apr 19, 3:13 PM ET
MIAMI (AFP) - Fearing they could represent a potential bird flu threat, the Florida town of Key West has ordered the famous feral chickens that wander its streets to the coop, authorities said.
The US island town, known for a live-and-let-live attitude, in this case got a bit firm, and late Tuesday ordered the more than 2,000 birds removed from public places, such as parks and streets.
"Key West has many uncooped roosters and chickens, many of which could become a transmission source of the virus," the resolution reads.
"While incidents of avian influenza have not yet reached American shores, the City Commission desires that Key West's population become vigilant and begin preparations for the possibiliy of its arrival."
The lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed more than 100 people since its appearance in 2003, with most of the deaths occurring in southeast Asia, according to the World Health Organization.
I wonder if Miami is going to do the same. There is so much third world charm down here.
Those birds are there to handle the scorpion problem. I think I'd tolerate the birds easier.
If they simply stopped feeding the six-toed cats at the Hemingway house, these wild chickens wouldn't last long.
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