Pensioner may be evicted over keeping hens

Aug 15 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

A PENSIONER who bought hens because of rocketing food prices could be kicked out his home. Ronald Lewis has been keeping two chickens for the last three months and eats their eggs every day to save himself money.

The enterprising 85-year-old also has three bee hives to make honey and grows cabbages and other vegetables in the garden.

But Gateshead Housing Company has warned Mr Lewis that keeping the chickens breaches his tenancy agreement and poses a health risk.

A spokesman said there was no immediate threat to evict him, but that was the ultimate punishment if he did not get rid of the birds.

Mr Lewis said he was determined to go all the way to court to keep his chickens in the garden of his home in Dennison Crescent, Birtley.

The retired engineer said he was determined to be more self-sufficient.

Mr Lewis, who has eight children and 27 grandchildren, said: “It’s absolutely farcical. The chickens are not doing any harm. I had a visit from a young man from the council who told me I had to get rid of them so I sent him away with a flea in his ear.

“Then they sent me two letters saying I was in breach of my tenancy. None of my neighbours have ever complained to me about them.

“With food prices rising all the time and extra production needed, it is ridiculous that the council are telling me to get rid of these birds. They should be encouraging people to be more self-sufficient.

“The tenancy agreement says we are not allowed to keep horses and cows which I can understand, but these chickens are causing no harm at all. They don’t even make any noise. I just don’t understand what all the fuss is about.”

Mr Lewis said his wife Elizabeth, 82, and the whole family have become attached to the chickens.

He said: “Elizabeth has been upset by all the fuss this has caused, she doesn’t want to lose the birds either. These rules might be OK for high-rise flats, but we live in houses with big gardens. I won’t get rid of them, I’ll take this all the way to court if I need to.”

Now Mr Lewis has written a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the hope of saving his chickens. So far he has had no reply.

A spokesman for the Gateshead Housing Company said: “It is irrelevant if any of Mr Lewis’s neighbours have complained or not, the fact is he is not allowed to keep these birds.

“This is an environmental health issue. There is a potential health hazard.

“The tenancy agreement clearly states that animals such as these are not allowed to be kept in our houses. These animals are being kept in breach of the agreement.

“We will work with Mr Lewis to see how we can proceed.”

OAPs feel the pinch

A SPOKESWOMAN for Age Concern said rocketing food and fuel bills were putting pressure on pensioners.

She said: "Increasing costs affect people with fixed incomes more than others. And pensions are not rising in line with costs.

"We have seen an increase in older people coming to us with questions about benefits and living expenses and more and more older people are feeling the pressure.

"This year we think about 2.1 million pensioners across the country are living in poverty and that number is increasing all the time. They are finding it hard to pay for all the bills.

"People are having to cut back on the basics, including food."