Home News Local News Town evicts Pefferlaw duck family

Pefferlaw ducks — Pekin ducks on Pefferlaw River violate a bylaw

Town evicts Pefferlaw duck family

June 9, 2021

2882

By Karen Wolfe

Seven Pekin ducks, which have grown up on the Pefferlaw River and were hatched in a kindergarten classroom, have come under the long arm of the Town’s by-law department and have been given two weeks to be relocated.

Four years ago, Kathy Crawford, an ECE teacher, released the ducks on the Pefferlaw River after they hatched in her kindergarten class. Since then three more have been added and the “girls” spend their day paddling up and down the river.

According to Ms. Crawford, they have never been a problem for anyone and no one has ever complained to her about them. In fact she said, they have charmed the village of Pefferlaw because they are so enjoyable to watch.

But a neighbour did complain and a Georgina bylaw officer responded and told Ms. Crawford the ducks would have to be relocated within two weeks.

A statement from the Town of Georgina reads:

“The Zoning By-law prohibits the keeping or raising of animals in a residential area except as allowed by a specific municipal by-law which sets forth regulations for keeping of the same.

Town of Georgina Exotic Pet By-law No. 2003-0072 only allows ducks to be kept on rural zoned properties. Agricultural uses are not permitted on a residential zoned property.”

But Ms. Crawford insists these ducks are not exotic and they are not agricultural livestock.

“They are part of the natural environment here and I don’t believe they should be treated any differently than that of the Canada geese, mallards, common mergansers and blue herons that I often find on my property,” she said.

She said Pekin ducks cannot fly so in order to protect them at night from predators, she has provided them with a shelter.

“Yes, I feed them but I also feed the geese and mallards that come onto my riverfront property on a daily basis. The only difference between these ducks and the other waterfowl that live on the Pefferlaw River is the fact that these ducks cannot fly.”

Ms. Crawford plans on asking council for an extension of the two week notice so she can attend a council meeting to explain and provide details on why these ducks should be treated no differently than any other Pefferlaw River waterfowl.