My neighbor’s yard reeks of feces and there’s racket all hours of the day – but city rules mean cops can’t help
A GROUP of residents are looking to take action against one of their neighbors, claiming their neighborhood has become overrun by the sights and smells of barnyard animals.
In Champaign, Illinois – roughly 86 miles east of Springfield – neighbors are looking for help from lawyers and their local government officials to clean out a yard.
The home, located in a residential area off Mattis and Windsor, reportedly has a barn that has accumulated trash, debris and animals, according to local CBS affiliate WCIA.
Eric Auth, the next door neighbor to the property, has said the amount of things and animals in the yard has made it difficult for others to enjoy their own homes due to the sights and smells.
“That was just a bridge too far,” he told the outlet
“We said, now this has got to stop.”
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Auth explained that the property is home to around 40 chickens, three pigs, several turkeys, and ducks.
The animals have allegedly been raised for harvest.
“All the things that go with it — all the mess, the feces, and the odors, and the smells and the sights — you know, that’s not what we’re here for,” Auth told the WCIA.
“We’re here to enjoy our property, and currently we can’t.”
Auth has said he recently hired an attorney to explore all possible options.
He claimed he isn’t the only resident who has problems with the neighbor.
“I’ve talked with neighbors in the area here. They’ve had their concerns with him,” Auth said.
“The county has talked to him and written him. And when someone simply ignores other people to that degree, well, I guess I’m the one that’s going to have to take the lead and say this has got to stop.”
Despite the growing concerns, there is little the local residents can do to address the sights and smells.
This is reportedly due to the neighbor’s property being county land, according to WCIA.
The city of Campaign does have ordinances restricting the amount and type of livestock kept on local property.
As of right now, there are no ordinances on the books limiting the amount of different livestock other than roosters, specifically in Champaign County.
Jenny Lockshin
And in February, the county board voted to restrict roosters within 1,000 feet of the city.
However, due to the property being county land, other city regulations do not apply.
Jenny Lockshin, a Champaign County board member, told WCIA that she and several others have since visited the property due to the complaints.
“I’ve heard from people who are right next to that property on Phinney,” she told the outlet.
“It’s hearing it all hours of the day, from as early as 5, 5:30 in the morning until dusk, hearing roosters — at a pretty loud volume to be able to pick it up from that far away.”
Lockshin explained that while the ordinance restricting roosters is in place, the county board may be able to take additional action if there are more complaints regarding the property and animals.
“As of right now, there are no ordinances on the books limiting the amount of different livestock other than roosters, specifically in Champaign County,” she said.
However, any change would take time, Lockshin warned.
The neighbor reportedly sees no issue with his livestock and impact on other residents, according to WCIA.
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He previously told the outlet over the phone that he keeps the animals to grow his own food.
Representatives of the city council of Champaign and local county board did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.