Today's Yankton Press & Dakotan has the sad tale of a Nebraska lady who was fined for keeping chickens as pets in her back yard.

And, they are both food and pets, according to the story:

She (Shawna Mason) told the judge Wednesday that although the six pullets were too young to lay eggs, they eventually would provide her sustenance.

Worden wouldn’t let Mason submit a note from her doctor regarding what Mason said were her anxiety disorders.

On Thursday, Mason said she’s on medication for depression and has a social phobia, “so this is really overwhelming for me.”

I don't mean to make fun of anyone's mental health issues. The chickens probably did give her some comfort. I remember a guy who lived down the street from my apartment in Houston, Texas who would go out in the rain, barefooted, and route around in the puddles in his front yard for no apparent reason. He seemed happy as could be when he was doing it. Go figure.

So, people with mental issues will do things that are goofy to the rest of us. And some people just like chickens, maybe just a little too much.

Apparently the chickens will live at a friend's farm for a while.

Ms Mason also noted that there are "crazy cat people too," which I thought was a pretty good response.

*Line from an old SNL skit starring Dana Carvey as a Chinese guy who tried to keep a chicken as a house pet.