In Abingdon, Maryland an unusual neighborhood dispute over what's allowed in one's back yard is ruffling feathers in a Harford County community as the County Council considers expanding a law regulating animals.Feathers of a peacock blowing in the breeze are easily mistaken for blades of grass. But when dusk falls, there's no mistaking the noise when the peacock ascends to the roof and fans out his feathers.
Lisa McNair and her family own Petey, a male peacock, and other peacocks. They are a permanent fixture in the Bynum Overlook Community in Abingdon, a compact residential neighborhood.
"Harford County law says I can put anything I want in my yard but a chicken," McNair said.
Of course, some neighbors aren't too pleased, mostly because Petey is noisy, especially now since it's breeding season.
One neighbor, who chose not to be identified, said the noise interrupts sleep.
"They squawk all night long," the neighbor said. "At first, it was pretty unique. I took pictures. But I get up at 5 a.m., so it's not pretty anymore."
"When evening comes, he starts calling to let everybody know that this is his territory," McNair said. "There (are) other animals in the neighborhood."
Harford County inspectors have responded to complaints about the peacocks, which county law limits to five per property.
WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team lead investigative reporter Jayne Miller counted eight birds altogether, but any under 6 months old aren't affected by the limit.
"How do you keep a peacock on your roof and not everybody else's?" Miller asked.
"That's why the kids are chasing him," McNair said.
The county prevents the McNairs from caging the peacocks because the houses in the neighborhood are so close.
"If people would stay out of my business, my birds would be penned, but they didn't. So, zoning came and said, release the birds," McNair said.
The county considers the peacocks domestic animals, albeit noisy ones.
When asked whether she's keeping her peacocks at her home, McNair said, "Yes, they're my pets."
Harford County officials told the 11 News I-Team that the County Council is considering a proposal at a meeting Tuesday night that could increase the number of animals property owners can have...peacocks included.
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