Peacock ordinance fails in Grand Island

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Potential owners of peacocks and peahens in a central Nebraska town can rest easy for now.

On Tuesday, the Grand Island City Council failed to pass an ordinance amendment that would make peacock ownership illegal within city limits.

The decision came after a public hearing which saw neighbors complain about peacocks that have been wandering freely in the Eldorado Road area.

The owners of the peacocks passed away earlier this year and the birds were then released.

While the birds are now wild, the ordinance would have prevented residents from capturing a peafowl and keeping the animal as a pet had it passed.