Is the Detroit Urban Farm Revolution Over?

David and Sky Brown’s house.

It appears that a young couple, David and Sky Brown, who bought a $2,000 house in Detroit last May ran afoul of an Animal Control officer on Wednesday. The couple’s goats and chickens were seized over the tearful pleas of their owners. There’s more on the story here. The Browns have asked for help on their blog.

If any Detroit area readers know more about this story please leave a comment.

Update: there’s a petition.

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11 Comments

  1. Sky,

    For someone with a J.D. your plea for justice is somewhat replete of legal details regarding this case.

    Why were your animals taken from you, was there some public health code violated?

    Who took your animals, police or animal control?

    Don’t use kidnap and my babies, attack this issue using the law, so your property was confiscated, now people like us, doing similar want to know 1) how we can help and 2) prevent this from happening to us,

    So what justification are they using? Thanks.

    • I have been trying to post a response to you for several hours, but it wouldn’t work via my phone… let’s see if it will work here:

      Hey Matt,
      that is a totally valid point and I appreciate the questions.
      Right now, my tactic is a petition and going through City Council.
      Courts are slow and cumbersome and not prepared to deal with the initial urgency of getting my animals somewhere safe.
      Yes, i am working with several lawyers as well, but we haven’t moved forward with the courts yet.
      Also, I imagine you understand that listing all of my legal tactics on such a public forum could be highly detrimental.
      I have been given two citations. They do not cite any statute or ordinance. I am making an assumption that I will be charged under section 6 of the Animal Control Ordinances.
      They were taken by Animal Control.
      The police involved supported us and were exceedingly polite and helpful, but they could not convince Officer Crosby otherwise.
      Firstly, I want to know where my animals are and I want them taken somewhere safe. Many local farms have offered to house them.
      I would also like to change the archaic law preventing urban farming in Detroit. Urban farming is essential in this city.
      I hope that answered all of your questions.
      If you’d like to discuss it further with me, feel free to e-mail me:
      [email protected]
      There is also more information on my blog, my fb, and the FB of the Community.
      http://www.roundsquareart.com/green
      Sky Swett
      Kibbutz Detropia

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