As someone deeply embedded in the unique local culture of Key West, Florida, I am distressed to see our iconic free-ranging chickens being threatened. These chickens are not just part of our local color, but also natural pest controllers. However, they are now at risk due to actions by the city hiring FWC professionals to capture, relocate, or even euthanize these feathered symbols of our community.

Our culture and ecosystem are intrinsically tied to these chickens. Millions of tourists come each year to see our famous Key West chickens roam freely as they have done for more than a century (source: Key West Tourism Board). Yet, the town's plan to remove these birds threatens to dissolve a cherished part of our heritage and disrupt the natural balance these birds bring to our ecosystem by controlling pests.

It's personal, it's urgent, and it's something we, as a community, need to tackle immediately. We are not asking for an end to responsible management, but for a humane approach that respects these creatures' contribution to our cultural identity and ecological system. Sign our petition to urge the city to reconsider their plan, and instead work towards a solution that preserves our chickens' place in the community.

As of recently there’s been a strategy drafted by Ryan Waterhouse (Key West Assistant City Attorney) stating:

“Key West continues to experience challenges with free-roaming chickens and invasive green iguanas, including sanitation issues, property damage, and ecological impacts. Both species fall under Florida's comprehensive definition of "animal," making them subject to the state's cruelty statutes. This memorandum provides an overview of pertinent legal requirements, explores control methods used by other Florida municipalities, and suggests potential approaches that the City could implement in a legally compliant and humane manner.

Key West could hire licensed or FWC-permitted professionals to address both chickens and iguanas. This arrangement would ensure compliance with Florida's cruelty laws, including the use of AVMA-compliant euthanasia for iguanas and, should rehoming prove unfeasible, for chickens as well. Requiring periodic performance reports would ensure transparency, track effectiveness, and confirm adherence to humane standards. Key West's Community Services Department previously hired a single professional to address feral chickens in specific areas. Although these localized efforts achieved a small reduction in the targeted locations, they did not significantly impact the overall citywide chicken population. Periodic community backlash led to pauses in the capture program, which resumed only when complaints resurfaced.

Bounty or capture events offer Key West a possible short-term approach to reduce feral chicken and iguana populations by tapping into community participation through small cash incentives.

In practice, a "capture weekend" might involve residents turning in captured animals for a nominal bounty of $1-$5 each, with City staff on hand to confirm humane handling and, for iguanas, promptly perform AVMA-compliant euthanasia. Although this method can achieve a rapid drop in population levels, its success depends on significant logistical planning and strict oversight, due to the legal requirements imposed by statute.

A major challenge arises from Florida's animal cruelty laws, which expose both the City and participants to liability if chickens or iguanas are mistreated during capture. Untrained residents might inadvertently violate these statutes, for example, by using inappropriate traps, capture methods, or low-powered air rifles that wound rather than kill. Iguanas add an extra layer of complexity because Florida law prohibits releasing them back into the wild, making immediate euthanasia mandatory; an action that requires proper training and equipment on-site.

Precedents from other Florida localities show that small-scale iguana bounties have been tried at the neighborhood or homeowners' association level, but few cities have deployed them widely due to the risks associated with public participation and oversight. Miami Beach, for example, ultimately chose to hire professional removal contractors instead of implementing a public bounty, citing concerns about ensuring humane treatment and avoiding potential liability. By comparison, the Florida Everglades "Python Challenge" successfully boosts participation through incentives, but that project benefits from strong support, close supervision, and strict requirements by state agencies; conditions that Key West would need to replicate to a considerable degree if it followed a similar model for chickens or iguanas.

In conclusion, while a bounty or capture event could provide immediate population declines, the City must consider the operational burdens of training participants, verifying humane methods. preventing cruelty, and handling a possibly overwhelming number of animals. Without clear guidelines, trained staffing, and transparent euthanasia and disposal processes, the City could face reputational damage and legal repercussions. Therefore, any decision to proceed with a bounty program requires meticulous planning, dedicated resources, and careful adherence to both state law and the community.”

Please call:

Brian L. Barroso (City Manager) 305-809-3954 

Lissette Carey (City Commissioner District 4) 305-809-3844

Ryan Waterhouse (Assistant City Attorney) 305-809-3872

Aaron Castillo (City Commissioner District 6) 305-809-3844

Denise Henriquez (Mayor of Key West) 305-809- 3840

Tell them to LEAVE THE CHICKENS ALONE.