Who is Peter Rabbit Anyway?

Who is Peter Rabbit anyway?

Peter Rabbit is a horse in Hickman, Nebraska. The only horse in Hickman proper. He was born in the spring of 1976. Peter Rabbit got his name, says his owner Harley Scott, by the way he sprung around as a young colt. Let me tell you, this old horse is still full of vim and vigor at his advanced age, kicking up his heels (or should I say hooves) now and again.

The pasture where Peter resides was just outside the city limits of Hickman. As the opportunity for growth happened, Harley decided to sell part of the farm to a developer. The 4 acres where Harley and his wife Lois live, has remained in tact. This is where Peter Rabbit has always called his home. Harley and Lois’s son, Jack purchased the area where the folks’ house is, with the understanding that Harley and Lois would stay there as long as they wanted to.

Late in the summer of 2006, the Hickman City Attorney sent a letter to the Scotts regarding annexation of their land to Hickman. The development just north of Scott’s Creek, Woodland Plaza was ready to sell lots. They could not annex unless the Scotts and the Scott’s Creek developer would agree to annex. Different annexation processes were discussed with the City Attorney. Seeing no reason why they should not annex, they agreed to the annexation request. Not one word was ever mentioned about the horse in this whole process. All of the Scotts truly believed the horse would be grandfathered and would be allowed to remain on the property until his death. They knew that they would not be able to raise anymore animals now that they lived in town. Livestock, particularly horses, exist next to homes in metropolitan areas all around the country including near by Lincoln. You see that example throughout Nebraska, throughout the whole country for that matter. An example of our rural way of life butting heads with urban sprawl. It wasn’t until 6 months after annexation, that the Scott family was notified that the horse was not allowed to stay on the pasture. Unfortunately, Hickman says they do not have a grandfather clause in their code book and City Officials will not allow this old animal to stay on the pasture he was born on.

So now two years after the annexation and more than one and a half years of meetings, discussions, agreeing and disagreeing the Hickman City Council has issued a citation to the Scotts and their unlawful horse. The court date will be set soon. This all seems ironic after the meeting of 8/28/07 which Council members voted: “Motion by Council Member Hanson, and seconded by Council Member Cejka, to reject the Scott’s request for exception to Municipal Code #6-302, and to direct City Staff to draft an Ordinance with the City Attorney, to amend Municipal Code #6-302 allowing a large animal permit process, Ordinance will be presented within 60 days. The following Council Members voted “YEA”. Cejka, Dykmann, Hanson, Hoesing, and Noren. The following Council Member voted “NAY”. Harms. Motion passed 5-1.”