Are you missing a peacock?

The Woodbury Public Safety Department recently received a report of a peacock at large at the 5100 block of Woodlane Drive.

The police department posted something about the bird on its Facebook page and advised people to leave it alone.

Those who have seen it are asked to call 651-439-9381. The owner is asked to call 651-714-3600.

A police report says a man at the 5700 block of Woodlane Court reported seeing a "large" peacock in his yard for about 45 minutes on June 3. It was not injured or acting aggressively.

Patch asked Eric Searles, associate planner with the city, about the legality of owning a peacock as a pet.

In an email, he said in most cases a peacock would not be permitted, as they are not a caged bird and would not likely live in the interior of the home.   

If the homeowner kept the bird inside the household, in a fashion consistent with a parrot or parakeet, it could be permitted, Searles said.

He also provided the related city ordinance:

Domesticated pet means any animal kept for companionship and enjoyment as opposed to livestock. Domesticated pets are those which commonly live in the household and not in a separate accessory building. Domesticated pets are limited to cats; dogs; caged birds; aquarium fish; non-poisonous, non-venomous and non-constricting arthropods, reptiles and amphibians; and small mammals such as rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, fancy mice and fancy rats. The following are not allowed as domestic pets under any circumstances: (1) non-domesticated animals as listed in section 5-47 of the City Code and (2) livestock species as listed in this section.

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