Madame Butterfly 0 Posted May 9, 2005 Police Ticket Chicken for Crossing the Road Trial Scheduled After Owners Protest Jaywalking Ticket RIDGECREST, Calif. (May 9) - Linc and Helena Moore may have finally learned the answer to that age-old question: Why did the chicken cross the road? Because the chicken doesn't know jaywalking is illegal. Kern County Sheriff's Deputy J. Nicholson does know, however. The deputy issued a ticket on March 26 to one of the couple's chickens for impeding traffic on a road in Johannesburg, a rural mining community southeast of Ridgecrest. The Moores arrived in Superior Court on Friday to plead not guilty to their chicken's alleged transgression. A trial was scheduled for May 16. Nicholson has declined to discuss the matter, but sheriff's Sgt. Francis Moore said chickens on the roadway have been a problem in the community of 50 residents. Officials didn't believe it could be resolved by simply issuing the couple a warning. ''Sometimes you have to let people talk to the judge,'' Moore said. The chicken's owners say they believe they were cited because they were among several people who complained that sheriff's deputies haven't done enough to control off-road vehicle riders who damage roads and create dust and noise in their neighborhood. Sheriff's officials say that isn't so, adding they are doing what they can to keep off-roaders away from the area's homes. ''The chicken thing has nothing to do with the motorcycle thing,'' Moore said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sea trooper 0 Posted May 9, 2005 Well that's stupid. They can't control the chicken (from what I know) so why should they be responsible for its actions? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vulcan IDIC 0 Posted May 9, 2005 Well if that's not the silliest little thing you have heard of I don't know what is. I'm glad to see that tax payers money is going to good use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A l t e r E g o 9 Posted May 9, 2005 Everytime I think it could NOT get any weirder it always does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Madame Butterfly 0 Posted May 9, 2005 That's what I thought! B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 0 Posted May 9, 2005 Idiotic but the couple should be responsible for their animals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Odo 0 Posted May 9, 2005 Going a little far to fill his ticket quota i think Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Odie 0 Posted May 10, 2005 The chicken saw the road. In its very small mind it thought I most cross it. Animals will do as they please even if the owner is best care taker in the world. Astro has been taught that he can't go outside without me. There are times when I open the door and Astro runs at full speed outside just to smell the grass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrPsychic 1 Posted May 10, 2005 I'm guessing the police were using the same "logic" if someone's dog ran away and was causing trouble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Data 0 Posted May 10, 2005 Next thing, issue tickets to deer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yillara Skye 1 Posted May 10, 2005 Next thing, issue tickets to deer. 323456[/snapback] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt_Picard 0 Posted May 10, 2005 Well the chicken got the tickete, but the duck got the bill! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theunicornhunter 2 Posted May 10, 2005 Well that's stupid. They can't control the chicken (from what I know) so why should they be responsible for its actions? 323290[/snapback] Chickens are supposed to kept in pens - if you can't control them - you shouldn't own them. I'm guessing most people responding either live in cities and/or are not home owners. I actually have a relative who has an issues with neighbor's chickens - it would be nice if our Sheriff's dept could learn from these folks. You shouldn't have your private property destroyed (like chickens eating your cat's food and pecking the seeds from your freshly planted garden) and I certainly wouldn't want to wait for chickens to cross the road. Of course in the area where my sister is - they'd be dead chickens 'cause people fly down that road. It amazes me how no one ever looks at these ridiculous stories from the perspective of other citizens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Madame Butterfly 0 Posted May 10, 2005 Chickens are supposed to kept in pens - Maybe they were free range chickens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cassidy 0 Posted May 11, 2005 I've gotta say - the owners must be pretty terrible if they can't ensure the safety of their animals. Who would let their chickens roam in the streets??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites