City Manager Joseph Scherer confirmed today his decision, concerning a recent complaint against Tractor Supply for selling biddy chickens, is to allow the business to sell them for retail purposes.

This would also include the sale of miniature pigs, although the ordinance still applies and forbids the keeping of such animals within the city limits, he said.

In a memo which was sent to the business, as well as city council members, Scherer wrote his decision comes “with the understanding that customers must understand it is still against city ordinances for them to maintain them within the city limits. The only concern we would have with your business in this matter is if the animals become maintained at your store in such a negative manner that the situation could be considered as a nuisance situation — noise, smell, etc. — under city ordinances. I feel confident you would not allow that to happen at your store.”

Scherer said discussions with the school of government showed the ordinance is sufficient for the city to allow retail marketing without needing to amend it for additional interpretation.

The city manager said he doesn't see the issue becoming a launch pad for revisions to the ordinance.

The matter became an issue after a complaint was received the business was selling chickens, which it does around Easter.

Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said animal control was sent to the business in enforcement of section 91.11 of the city ordinance, which pertains to the keeping of certain animals.

Despite the matter being discussed on a local radio station talk show as solely centering around the city's noise ordinance, Hasty said, “It had nothing to do with noise. It was a complaint they had chickens.”