Neighbors Opposed to Backyard Slaughter

Poll also finds that a large majority of residents in Oakland City Districts one & three are mostly undecided about their first choice candidate in their local district race

Oakland, CA – A new flash poll conducted by Neighbors Opposed to Backyard Slaughter (NOBS) found that over 50% of Oakland residents in City Districts one & three – areas with the highest concentration of urban livestock – are opposed to the breeding, keeping, and slaughtering of animals in backyards. The percentage of residents opposed to backyard livestock increased to 60% and over in zip codes most directly affected by the impacts of urban livestock.  As Oakland explores new regulations on urban agriculture, NOBS warned city leaders months ago about this growing consensus, which is now validated by these results.

“We have been working for some time with the Oakland Planning Department as it develops a new set of rules for urban farming and we thank them for their hard work,” stated Tim Anderson, co-founder of NOBS. “During this time, we shared the community’s enthusiasm for growing vegetables and fruits in backyards.  However, when it comes to breeding, keeping, and slaughtering animals such as pigs, rabbits, goats and others, we remain deeply concerned about the potential fiscal, public health, and animal welfare hazards. This poll clarified where the community stands, and we hope Oakland’s current and future leaders take notice,” he added.

The flash poll of 1,158 residents in Oakland City Council District one found:

• 52% opposed to backyard slaughter with just 28% in support.
• That number increased to 60% opposed in the zip codes most impacted by a growing number of Oakland residents breeding and slaughtering animals.

In District three, 745 residents were surveyed.  Results found:

• 55% opposed with just 20% in support.
• That number increased to 66% in the zip codes most impacted.

“There is an intensity of opposition to this activity among those who know best – the neighbors already impacted by backyard livestock and slaughter,” added Anderson.

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, an author and educator dedicated to empowering people to make informed food choices and co-founder of NOBS, stated “The city doesn’t have the funding, training or capacity to cope with what are already consequences of urban livestock or to enforce the complicated regulations that are being proposed by the Oakland Planning Department. This means that there is a real danger for city residents who would be exposed to viruses, pathogens, and diseases as well as blight and noise. We have also already seen evidence of people mistreating and inhumanely – and illegally – slaughtering the animals they’re raising. We need to come together as a community to address what are currently real concerns for our beloved city – not create new ones. ”

The poll also uncovered some surprising findings on the first choice city council candidates in Districts one and three. Among the findings were:

• In District one, Amy Lemley is leading the race with 12%, Dan Kalb at 6%, and Craig Brandt at  4%.
• In District three, there is a virtual dead heat among four candidates – Alex Miller-Cole, Nyeisha DeWitt, Lynette Gibson-McElhaney, and Sean Sullivan.
• However, in each race there remains a huge number of undecided voters (70% in D1, 65% in D3).  This means that winners will be determined over the coming months by those who understand and meet the expectations of their constituency.

The full results are listed below.

NOBS hopes to use the results as a starting point for a conversation with Oakland leaders and the community about some of the very real hazards related to the breeding, keeping, and killing of animals. NOBS would also like to continue working with the city’s planning department to help more Oakland residents grow produce and fruit while protecting people, animals, and Oakland’s sense of community.

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About the Neighbors Opposed to Backyard Slaughter Flash-Poll: Residents and Districts one & three were contacted during the first week of September by phone and asked to answer two questions via their keypad. The first question asked their opinion about breeding, keeping, and slaughtering animals in their backyards for consumption, while the second question asked for their first choice to represent them on the Oakland City Council. A total of 871 individuals took the poll in District one. A total of 563 individuals took the poll in District three.

Poll Results