It's now okay for Mattawa residents to raise hens in their yards.
"Council passed their animal control bylaw Tuesday night at their regular meeting," CEO Raymond Belanger confirmed to BayToday.
The issue came up last summer when a Mattawa woman, Chanelle Davidson, started a petition because she was afraid the town was about to ban all exotic animals, livestock animals, and poultry from within town limits.
Davidson had been raising laying hens for a year and a half and she was afraid the council would pass a by-law "quietly without public input or discussion."
See: Mattawa resident fears exotic pet ban prompted by a man with a large snake
In a report to council, Bylaw Officer Wayne Chaput said complaints from town and area residents concerning exotic animals had been received by all municipal departments.
The chief concern was about a man walking around town with a very large snake.
See: Snake owner wants education, not bylaw
Council decided to allow certain animals but with restrictions. The by-law will regulate, prohibit and restrict the keeping of certain kinds of animals within the boundaries of the Town of Mattawa.
On her Facebook page, Davidson wrote, "I am so happy to announce that the animal by-law has been finalized and passed and chickens are officially allowed within the town of Mattawa. I was told that my presentation and attendance to many council meetings had a direct impact on council's decision. Thank you to council for allowing me the opportunity and thank you to all those who supported me.
"I am extremely satisfied with the outcome of the bylaw," Davidson told BayToday. "It is exactly what I set out to achieve. The Town of Mattawa recognizes the value of backyard hens but they obviously want some regulation, which I am glad they do. It feels great to have had a goal and a plan and to now be able to see it through. Obviously, my goal was to fight for the right to have backyard hens, but the bigger goal was to teach my children that life will always deal you obstacles but as long as you stay true to your values and fight for what you believe in, you will be successful."
Meanwhile, efforts continue by a North Bay man to get the same opportunity in this city.
See: City squawks at Grandpa's pet chickens
Brent Johnson just wanted to raise four backyard chickens for his grandkids to enjoy but was told by the city bylaw officer to get rid of them.
Johnson spoke before council last week and hopes councillors will vote to amend the current bylaw which states "No person shall keep any domestic fowl, cattle, goats, swans, horses, sheep, mink or foxes within any area defined by North Bay Zoning By-law 28-80 as Residential, Commercial or Industrial.".
