A Veteran’s Right to Heal: The Battle Over Pet Chickens in Kettering
Todd Combs, a U.S. Army combat veteran, and his family in Kettering, Ohio, are facing an unjust threat to their beloved pet chickens. The family has 18 hens—no roosters—which they keep as pets and companions, not for food production Due to allergies, they cannot have traditional pets like dogs or cats, so their chickens provide comfort and companionship. Despite this, the City of Kettering has cited them for a zoning violation, claiming their chickens violate the local code under Section 1139.04-6.
However, the city’s zoning code actually permits “pet fowl”, and there is no ordinance prohibiting the keeping of chickens as pets. This case is about more than just chickens—it’s about human respect. The right to keep pets that bring joy, companionship, and comfort should not be stripped away by vague or misinterpreted codes.
The Combs family’s fight is a call for fairness, personal freedoms, and respect for families who choose to have pets that contribute to their happiness and well-being.
We need your help to support the Combs family and ensure they can keep their pet chickens.
Here’s how you can help:
Attend the Public Meeting:
Monday, August 11, 2025 at 7 PM
Kettering Government Center
3600 Shroyer Road
Show your support for the Combs family and their right to keep their pets.
Contact Kettering Officials:
Reach out to Kettering city officials to express your support for the Combs family. Urge them to respect the zoning code that permits “pet fowl” and to allow the family to keep their chickens without fear of fines. Contact info and sample email is below.
Contact Information and Email Template
Peggy Lehner, Mayor of the City of Kettering, Ohio
Cell Phone: 937-477-7640
Email:
peggy.lehner@ketteringoh.org
Jacque Fisher: Vice Mayor, At-Large Councilmember
Phone: (937) 232-1637
Email:
jacque.fisher@ketteringoh.org
Kettering Mayor Council:
KetteringMayorCouncil@Ketteringoh.org
Ryan Homsi, City Planner:
Ryan.Homsi@ketteringoh.org
Tom Robillard, Planning and Development Director:
Tom.robillard@ketteringoh.org
Email Template: for mobile users, tap the email addresses up above. A pre-formatted and addressed email will be generated. Simply add your name to the end.
Subject: Support for the Combs Family’s Right to Keep Their Pet Chickens
Dear [City Official’s Name],
I am writing to express my support for Todd and Melodie Combs, who are being unjustly threatened with fines for keeping their 18 pet chickens in their Kettering home. As a concerned citizen, I urge the city to respect the Combs family’s right to keep their chickens as pet fowl, which is clearly permitted under the city’s zoning code.
The Combs family has kept these chickens as companions, not for food production, and they provide great enjoyment and comfort, especially since they are unable to have traditional pets like dogs or cats due to allergies. The city’s zoning code allows for “pet fowl,” and the Combs’ chickens fall within this category as they are not used for agricultural purposes.
It is important to emphasize that the spirit of the law should focus on the intent of providing support and companionship through pets, rather than enforcing arbitrary restrictions that do not serve the public good. The Combs family has made efforts to comply with the city’s zoning codes, and I believe they should be allowed to keep their pets without the fear of daily fines.
I respectfully ask that you:
-
- Review the zoning code with a fair and transparent interpretation.
- Allow the Combs family to continue keeping their chickens as pets.
- Remove any unnecessary and unjust enforcement actions against their family.
Thank you for considering my support for this matter. I trust that the city will make a fair and compassionate decision, one that values both the Combs family’s rights and the principles of human respect in our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
The Combs family is counting on our support to keep their pet chickens and uphold their right to enjoy the companionship of animals that matter to them.
Let’s show the city of Kettering that human respect should be at the heart of zoning decisions.
