Baltimore man fights to keep animals in what he calls an Urban Farm
Archie says he had a total of 35 chickens and 18 rabbits that educated children in the community about animals and provided food for his family.
By Barry Simms
WBAL
Aug 23, 2021
Excerpt:
A Maryland man’s dream of operating an urban farm is in jeopardy. He’s trying to do it in his back yard, but Baltimore City isn’t so open to the idea.
Spending time with Porkington the potbellied pig gives Ulysses Archie a sense of calm.
“I have PTSD, so this is what I do to help myself get up every morning,” Archie said.
Archie says he is running an urban farm, and caring for animals in the back yard of his Collins Avenue home in southwest Baltimore is therapeutic. But for the city, it’s a bit problematic.
Animal Control officers have visited at least six times. Archie has recorded video of the encounters and put it on social media.
The Baltimore City Health Department claims it “received several noise complaints of roosters crowing” and “complaints of chickens loose and soiling neighboring properties.”
“Animal Control officers responded and observed a variety of animals including rabbits, chickens and a pig. The owner of the animals did not have a permit and the number of animals exceeded the allowed limit for a residential property,” said Adam Abadir, with the Baltimore City Health Department.
