On todays news from the BBC and on various newspaper sites it's being reported that two oap's are facing eviction from their home of 27 years for keeping two hens.

While they are clearly in breach of their tenancy agreement that specifically disallows chickens, with the knowledge we have gained we think that the clause disallowing chickens is just plain wrong!

First, I'll list the articles so you can see for yourself:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4943229/Good-life-pensioners-thre...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/puffbox/hyperpuff/audiovideo/england/tyne/792...

As have several members of the forum over at www.omlet.co.uk we've written to the Gateshead Housing Company and the local MP appealing for some common sense in this case.

The thread where members are discussing this is here:
http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=40530&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

If you feel you wish to help, feel free to do the same. The email addresses are:
andersonda@parliament.uk
enquiries@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
And mention the couple by name R & E Lewis so that there is no confusion over who the email refers to.

This is what we wrote:
"Dear Sir/Madam,

I am shocked and appalled today to learn that Gateshead Council are
intending to evict an elderly couple on the grounds that as part of
their desire for self sufficiency, company and affection are keeping two
hens.

I understand that they are technically in breach of their tenancy
agreement (keeping livestock) but I fail to understand how keeping two
pet hens can be classed as livestock even though the tenancy agreement
you offer explicitly states so.

The term livestock is commonly taken as representing farming animals
such as goats, sheep, cows and so on. In fact, the term is so broad and
can be interpreted in many ways leading it to be almost meaningless. If
the intention is to reduce noise, smell, traffic and nuisance to
neighbours then applying the term livestock to two pet hens makes no
sense.

Hens are quite legitimately pets, especially in today's society. One
could quite literally compare this with keeping a dog, cat or a rabbit.
Hens generally make less of a nuisance of themselves as a dog could with
incessant barking, yet technically dogs seem to be allowed under the
tenancy agreement.

Surely the spirit of intent of the livestock clause could be applied,
and the couple be allowed to keep the hens, rather than the strict
interpretation of the clause despite the potential woolliness of the
term livestock?

If such an investigation takes place and no actual nuisance is found
(rather than the fact they exist) could you reclassify hens as pets and
allow the couple to apply to keep them? This will use the same process
as you already have to allow exceptions on pet keeping by allowing you
to give written permission on application and deal with on a case by
case basis rather than a blanket rule allowing or disallowing them.

I hope you consider this matter thoroughly and arrive at a solution that
is sensible and fair to all concerned.

Kind regards,"