CHATSWORTH : Emu, Ostrich Farm Owner Ordered to Shut Down
Birds of a feather may not flock together, if they happen to be inhabitants of an emu and ostrich farm in Chatsworth that the city has deemed a public nuisance.
An Oct. 4 Board of Zoning Appeals order was made final at Tuesday’s Los Angeles City Council that David Mohilef get rid of his 800 or so emus and ostriches. The panel ruled that the big, flightless fowl had created a nuisance in the tony Monteria Estates neighborhood.
Several neighbors of the farm who attended Tuesday’s meeting praised the city’s final decision. “Ostriches have no business being in this neighborhood at all,” said Vin Fichter.
But Jay S. Bulmash, an attorney for Mohilef, said his client plans to sue the city within the next 10 days, alleging violation of his civil rights.
“This is a case of political retribution by Councilman Bernson and some of his wealthy supporters to get rid of Mr. Mohilef’s agricultural use and raise their own property values,” Bulmash said. The farm is in Councilman Hal Bernson’s district.
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