Peacocks free to roam Brisbane backyards after ban overturned
A Brisbane man who owns three peafowl has welcomed Brisbane City Council’s decision to backtrack on its proposal to ban the bird, saying they are just like cats or dogs and make wonderful pets.
Runcorn resident Brett Plagens was prepared to pack up and move house for the sake of keeping his birds when the council’s proposed change to legislation surrounding animals included prohibiting peafowl being kept on properties not classified as rural.
On Tuesday the council revealed, after feedback from the community, it would not enforce the proposed ban and would instead require residents to obtain permits for residential areas.
Mr Plagens said the proposal to ban them made the assumption all peacocks were noisy, untrained and upset neighbours.
“I feel it’s very responsible to promote proper management and ownership of them,” he said.
“If they are not raised properly they would make trouble.
“We have to register dogs and I feel peafowl are like dogs with wings.”
Mr Plagens said his two peacocks and one peahen had learnt a variety of commands and liked to keep a tight schedule and a clean house.
He said training and a good living environment ensured peafowl didn’t upset neighbours.
“Training also includes rewarding them with treats if they behave themselves or listen to you,” he said.
“They usually listen to you like dogs but can have a mind of their own."
Along with vegetables, flowers and game bird food, he feeds them hundreds of crickets a day.
The food bill hits $160 each week.
“I feel they are on par with cats and dogs for being a backyard pet.”
The council received 11 noise complaints about peafowl in the 2016-17 financial year.
The council’s lifestyle and community services chairman, Matthew Bourke, said the current Animals Local Law was introduced more than a decade ago so it was important the council looked at how animal ownership had evolved.
“Brisbane residents are passionate about their pets, with council receiving close to 20 inquiries about animal management every single day, from ownership requirements and registration to animal noise complaints or reports of feral animals,” Cr Bourke said.
“Council is committed to making it easier to be a responsible pet owner and the new Animals Local Law will make it easier while ensuring that nuisance is minimised and the safety of the public is upheld.”
The Animals Local Law 2017 will come into effect on July 1.