Miami commissioners loosening law protecting peacocks

Miami commissioners voted Tuesday to loosen laws protecting wild peacocks. 

In a 5-4 vote, the commissioners voted to allow municipalities to create plans to relocate peacocks, changing a 20-year-old law, according to The Associated Press, which cited the Miami Herald. 

The old law said peacocks were not allowed to be removed from an area or killed by municipalities, with only homeowners allowed to remove the birds from their property. 

Peacocks are a contentious issue in Florida, with some enjoying the invasive species while others complain about their aggressiveness and damage to property.

“In my district, we learn to live with these peacocks,” Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins said, the AP reported. “They almost become a part of the community. I know our residents lose it when anyone harms any of these peacocks.”

Removing the birds presents difficulties, as many sanctuaries and other areas do not want to take care of the peacocks. 

“Mating season is when we get the most complaints. They get very aggressive,” said Raquel Regalado, who sponsored the change. “They lay their eggs, they build their nests, they peck the cars.”

Regalado wanted to repeal the whole law, but other commissioners pushed back because they did not want people to start killing the peacocks if they could not find a place to relocate them. 

“We searched statewide for a sanctuary or zoo that would accept them,” Assistant Director Kathy Labrada said. “The alternative is humane euthanasia.”