Meriden Bans Residents from Slaughtering Animals, Man to Appeal

[The Straight Story]

Meriden Bans Residents from Slaughtering Animals, Man to Appeal

The city of Meriden has decided that slaughtering farm animals is something that should be left to butcher shops and residents should not be doing this on their own properties.

But the resident at the center of the butchering ban plans to appeal – all the way to federal court if necessary because he feels the ban infringes of his religious freedoms, the Meriden Record-Journal reports.

Austine Christopher Ubaike, a Nigerian native, told the newspaper he's been singled out because he slaughters two goats per week and, on holidays, he might also butcher a cow and buffalo.

But neighbors complained to city officials about health concerns and the Meriden City Council on Monday voted, 11-0, to amend the city's health code to ban the slaughter of farm animals.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local-beat/Meriden-Bans-Residents-from-Slaughtering--Animals-Man-to-Appeal-111463344.html

[queenjane]

1. Ah yes, the "religious freedom" meme

Because any and everything should be allowed if it's religious in nature: female circumcision, public stonings of adulterers, ad nauseum.

My neighbor's son used to go deer hunting and, instead of taking his kill out to his house in the country, brought the bodies to his parents' house and hung them in a tree TEN FEET from my kitchen window, where he proceeded to skin and butcher the poor creatures, leaving the entrails on the ground for the dogs to eat, drag around, etc. Deer heads and antlers were all over the yard. One call to the Health Dept took care of the problem, but he was incensed that this wasn't allowed in a crowded city neighborhood.

I'm all for free use of one's property--within reason--but some things should be banned.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

2. I agree n/t

[MineralMan]

3. In Minnesota, so many people hunt deer that it would be impossible

to enforce such a thing. Many hunters choose to process the deer themselves. It saves a lot of money, and a lot of hunters need the venison to feed their families, especially now. Any attempt to prevent this would lead to a bipartisan revolt.