[Skip to main content](#main)
Jailbird: Edmonton man chooses to get locked up during fight to keep backyard chickens
An animal lover in the Alberta capital has agreed to surrender his hens to authorities but only after spending three days in the slammer and several more in court.
“The judge says that they will seize my chickens and [they will] probably have a chicken soup on my behalf,” a disappointed Ivan Dacko said Wednesday on his way out of Edmonton Law Courts.
“Today my chickens are one years old.Happy birthday to my ladies and it just happens to be International Woman’s Day, so I believe they are kinda woman to the chicken population.”
The half-dozen hens, for now still in his yard in east Edmonton, are unlicensed.
Dacko, a retired electrician, said he hatched the birds exactly one year ago.
He has a two-storey coop behind his house and says he’s being environmentally friendly by collecting eggs, feeding the chickens table scraps and spreading the manure in his garden.
He applied to become part of the city’s urban hens program shortly after getting them but his application was denied.Dacko was later fined $500 after refusing to give the birds away.
Ivan Dacko shows his backyard chicken coop to CTV News Edmonton on March 8, 2023.(Darcy Seaton/CTV News Edmonton)
Dacko decided not to pay or hire a lawyer, and was sentenced to time in the Edmonton Remand Centre.
He said his protest was good fun for accused murderers, drug dealers and speeders.
“They ask me what is my charge and I said, ‘Six chickens I have in my backyard,’ and they had a good laugh for the whole day,” he recalled.
He also admits to sending “upset” messages to city officials questioning their professionalism.
“We had a hearing about a week ago.The judge was very narrow minded.[He ruled that] I don’t have a license and they are allowed to remove my chickens,” Dacko explained.
It’s not the first time he’s paid heavily for interacting with animals and butting heads with authorities in the process.
He and his wife were fined $3,000 each for riding their bikes amongst bighorn sheep in Banff National Park in 2016.
Dacko, who actually submitted photos to the court of himself in the act, maintained they did nothing wrong and promised to do it again.
In this supplied photo, Ivan Dacko (blue jacket) can be seen riding his bike in Banff National Park in June, 2016.Supplied.
Wednesday’s ruling gives him 10 days to find the hens a new home or the city will pluck them from his property.
He’s giving up in this game of chicken, but didn’t promise not to do it again.
“I’m very disappointed, but I will obey with their order,” Dacko said.
“Maybe rabbits or quails will be the next one.
Or maybe pigeons, I don’t know what really bothers them.”
Dacko’s neighbours, meanwhile, have complained numerous times about odours and submitted videos of chickens leaving his property, a city spokesperson told CTV News Edmonton.
His initial application was also incomplete, she stated.
“Animal control officers have made numerous attempts to gain compliance from Mr.
Dacko since last April however he has remained unwilling to comply,” Chrystal Coleman wrote in a statement.
“Given the history of non-compliance, statements of intent not to comply with the bylaw in the future and concerns regarding the health and safety of the chickens, the city refused Mr.Dacko’s application.”
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s David Ewasuk
Edmonton Top Stories
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grocery CEOs deny accusations that food price inflation is driven by profit-mongering
The leaders of Canada’s major grocery chains insist that food price inflation is not caused by profit-mongering and that their margins on food-related profits have remained low.
Which is more expensive and which is healthier for you, fresh or frozen food?
As grocery prices soar amid inflation, experts have weighed in on the cost effectiveness of buying fresh or frozen foods, adding that buying frozen doesn’t necessarily mean food will lose any nutritional value.
‘Seeming like there’s something to hide,’ Singh says of Trudeau as foreign interference controversy deepens
Questions over interference by China in Canada’s last two federal elections continue to rise in Ottawa, as do the accusations the Liberals aren’t doing enough to answer them, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau digs in, declining to offer details about what he knew and when.
Tim Hortons customers subject to ‘technical error’ incorrectly saying they’d won $10K
Tim Hortons says some customers were incorrectly told they won $10,000 as part of the coffee chain’s popular Roll Up To Win contest due to a technical error.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/how-a-4-day-work-week-can-help-reduce-burnout-in-women-1.6305042″>
How a 4-day work week can help reduce burnout in women
Experts say the increasingly popular four-day work week could help reduce burnout in women and potentially reduce gender inequalities in the workplace and at home.
[]https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/how-a-4-day-work-week-can-help-reduce-burnout-in-women-1.6305042
Loonie hits 4-month low as Bank of Canada holds key interest rate
The value of the loonie hit a four-month low compared with the U.S.
dollar on Wednesday, but some experts say Canadian consumers shouldn’t expect their wallets to take a major hit.
Senate showdown ahead? Minister rejects some Bill C-11 amendments
After taking weeks to consider the Senate’s changes to the Liberals’ contentious online streaming legislation known as Bill C-11, Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez confirmed he’s rejecting several of the amendments made, prompting a potential legislative showdown.
Longtime Liberal MP Marc Garneau resigning, calls on colleagues to ‘put away the anger’
Longtime politician and former astronaut Marc Garneau has announced he is resigning his seat in the House of Commons.Speaking in the chamber for the final time, Garneau said it has been an honour to serve the country.
He has been a member of Parliament for more than 14 years, including seven years in government.
CRTC lowers some wholesale internet rates by 10 per cent as part of broader review
Canada’s national telecommunications regulator is lowering some wholesale internet rates by 10 per cent as it launches a review aimed at bolstering competition and lowering consumer costs.
Calgary
–
Alberta creating new provincial gang suppression unit, firearms unit
Alberta is creating two new police units in an effort to combat organized crime and gun violence throughout the province.
–
Grocery CEOs deny accusations that food price inflation is driven by profit-mongering
The leaders of Canada’s major grocery chains insist that food price inflation is not caused by profit-mongering and that their margins on food-related profits have remained low.
–
Walcott chastises ‘intolerant’ protests of drag queens, calls on Calgarians to support ‘most vulnerable’
In a letter released Tuesday, Ward 8 Coun.Courtney Walcott condemned the actions of protesters who he says ‘hope to erode our freedoms’ by first targeting the most vulnerable members of society.
Saskatoon
–
‘Misinformation’ about alleged change room incident at Saskatoon pool leads to emotional city hall debate
Emotions ran high during a city council committee meeting as a handful of residents tried to take the city to task over an unsubstantiated social media claim regarding a swimming pool change room and dozens of others came to the defence of Saskatoon’s trans community.
–
Witness in Sask.murder trial says accused’s face ‘still haunts’ him
The family of a 29-year-old La Ronge man who was killed nearly three years ago said the court process has been difficult, but they have faith in the justice system.
–
Former Sask.group home employee pleads guilty to sexually assaulting residents with disabilities
A man accused of sexually assaulting and exploiting residents at a group home he worked at has pleaded guilty.
Regina
–
Several sectors of Regina’s economy to lose jobs in 2023: Study
Several sectors of Regina’s economy will lose jobs this year, according to recent research on economic trends for 2023 done by the Conference Board of Canada.
–
Province says it will provide operational funding for second stage shelters in Sask.
Following renewed calls from the official opposition and advocacy groups, the province says it will provide operational funding for second stage shelters in the upcoming 2023 budget.
–
FHQ Women’s Council unveil MMIWG memorial monument at Treaty 4 Governance Centre
A monument honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) was unveiled Wednesday at the Treaty 4 Governance Centre in Fort Qu’Appelle.
Atlantic
–
WestJet officially cancels flights between Moncton and Toronto starting in May
Travellers looking to fly between Moncton, N.B., and Toronto will have one less airline option after WestJet confirmed that services between the two locations will be removed as of April 30.
–
Nova Scotia court quashes hospital CEO’s conviction for fraud, calls for new trial
Nova Scotia’s highest court has quashed the fraud conviction of a children’s hospital CEO who used her corporate credit card to pay for $47,000 in personal expenses, including flights for family members and Netflix fees.
–
Cautious optimism about Cape Breton University’s new medical school campus
There has been plenty of reaction to the nearly $60 million pledged by the Nova Scotia government Tuesday for a new medical school campus at Cape Breton University (CBU) in Sydney, N.S.
Toronto
–
Ontario university accused of offering low salary for Indigenous Director opening
The salary range offered along with the role of Director of Indigenous Relations at an Ontario university is drawing attention after it was discovered to be lower than comparable job listings at the institution.
–
Arrest warrant issued for Toronto man wanted in Elnaz Hajtamiri abduction investigation
Ontario Provincial Police issued an arrest warrant for a Toronto man wanted in connection with the alleged kidnapping of Elnaz Hajtamiri.
–
Toronto restaurateur publicly shares employees’ incomes.This is why
A Toronto restaurant publicly shared all its employee salaries, from managers to team members, in an effort to boost pay transparency, and break the stigma around openly discussing pay scales.
Montreal
–
Mental health did not decline during COVID-19 pandemic: comprehensive study
A study led by Montreal researchers has found that, contrary to common belief, mental health issues did not decrease in any significant way during the COVID-19 pandemic.
–
Montreal releases housing, transit wish list ahead of Quebec budget
With two weeks to go until the Legault government tables its next budget, Montreal has released its wish list for the province.
–
Longtime Liberal MP Marc Garneau resigning, calls on colleagues to ‘put away the anger’
Longtime politician and former astronaut Marc Garneau has announced he is resigning his seat in the House of Commons.Speaking in the chamber for the final time, Garneau said it has been an honour to serve the country.
He has been a member of Parliament for more than 14 years, including seven years in government.
Ottawa
–
Police watchdog investigating Ottawa police interaction on Walkley Road in Ottawa
A section of Walkley Road is partially closed near Heron Road as police conduct an investigation in the 1800 block of Walkley Road.
–
Gatineau, Que.mansion built too close to road can remain standing, court rules
A multimillion-dollar home built too close to the street in Gatineau, Que.
will be allowed to remain standing, Quebec’s highest court has ruled.
–
Grocery CEOs deny accusations that food price inflation is driven by profit-mongering
The leaders of Canada’s major grocery chains insist that food price inflation is not caused by profit-mongering and that their margins on food-related profits have remained low.
Kitchener
–
BREAKING
BREAKING |
Person airlifted after being struck, trapped under LRT train in Kitchener
A pedestrian has been airlifted to hospital in Hamilton with life-threatening injuries after being hit by an LRT train in Kitchener.
–
Kitchener, Ont.artist on a mission to draw one bird a day for a year
Step inside Meredith Blunt’s studio and it’s clear why the Kitchener artist calls herself a “bird nerd.”
–
Ontario’s highest court dismisses appeal by Trinity Bible Chapel over COVID-19 restrictions
The Ontario Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by Woolwich Township’s Trinity Bible Chapel and Alymer’s Church of God after the two churches pushed back against COVID-19 restrictions.
Northern Ontario
–
Trial hears details of how DNA led to arrest in Sweeney murder case
A Sudbury jury was told Wednesday that advances in DNA technology and an offer from a U.S.laboratory led Sudbury police to make an arrest in the Renee Sweeney murder case.
–
Fire at North Bay motel on Lakeshore Drive, people asked to avoid the area
Emergency crews remain at the the scene Wednesday of a fire at a North Bay motel which began before 10:00 a.m.
–
Grocery CEOs deny accusations that food price inflation is driven by profit-mongering
The leaders of Canada’s major grocery chains insist that food price inflation is not caused by profit-mongering and that their margins on food-related profits have remained low.
Winnipeg
–
Two youth in custody after ‘hoax’ gun threat forced lockdown in Winnipeg school: police
The threat of someone with a gun inside a Winnipeg school forced students into lockdown Tuesday as an armed tactical police unit swept through the school and soon determined it was all a hoax.
–
Trial of retired Winnipeg priest charged with indecent assault wraps up
Closing arguments have wrapped up in the trial of retired 93-year-old priest Arthur Masse.
–
City of Winnipeg claims company billed more than $1 million for tows that didn’t happen
The City of Winnipeg was billed for more than $1 million worth of tows that it says never happened.
Vancouver
–
511 tickets in 5 months: Crackdown on ‘unsafe driving’ at Simon Fraser University
A total of 511 tickets were handed out to drivers in and around Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus within a five-month period, Mounties revealed Wednesday.
–
Lawyer: B.C.’s new pay transparency legislation not enough to end gender pay gap
The B.C.government is facing criticism after announcing plans Tuesday to introduce pay transparency legislation to help close the gender pay gap.
–
Meet Genesis, the 25-year-old making history as Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar 2023
Tiana Swan has tried on many titles over the years—musical theatre performer, dancer, burlesque artist and, most recently, the gender-bending persona Genesis, winner of Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar 2023.
Vancouver Island
–
B.C.still waiting on U.S.
for permanent daylight time
Four years after British Columbians voiced overwhelming support for scrapping seasonal time changes, the path to permanent daylight time in B.C.remains littered with roadblocks.
–
Friends and family remember victims of deadly plane crash off Vancouver Island
As the Transportation Safety Board continues to look into the cause of a plane crash that claimed the lives of three people north of Port Hardy last November, the families of those victims search for answers while remembering their loved ones.
–
Safety board report says deadly tug sinking in B.C.highlights systemic safety issues
A family member of one of two men who died when a tugboat sank off British Columbia’s northern coast is pushing for federal government action after the Transportation Safety Board concluded the accident highlighted “major systemic issues in the transportation industry.”.