An emotional battle between two neighbours has resulted in a west Mountain woman having to get rid of her pet ducks.

Lorraine Appleyard says she's kept her pet duck, Quackers, in her Rolston backyard for nine years. She also has a six-month-old duck named Sunny. The ducks are part of the family, she says, and Quackers is "totally domesticated."

But it's illegal to keep ducks in the urban area of Hamilton, and this spring, the city delivered an order to get rid of them. Appleyard pleaded with city council's planning committee to reverse the order Tuesday, but councillors upheld it.

"I'm feeling crushed, to be quite honest," Appleyard said.

"It looks like they're going to have to go away to live, and I'm devastated by that."

The presence of Quackers and Sunny has been a contentious issue between Appleyard and her long-time neighbour, Jennifer Smith.

The neighbours have always gotten along, Smith said. She had few issues with the ducks until this spring, when rats appeared in her backyard.

A neighbour says Quackers is causing rats. Appleyard says she's never had a rat problem. (Samantha Craggs/CBC)

Smith told councillors the rats tunneled into her backyard greenhouse, so much that she had to dismantle it. She also had a $400 pest control bill, of which the Appleyards paid half. Smith had a small woodpile along her fence, which she dismantled at the pest control company's recommendation. She's convinced the ducks are the culprit.

"I don't like that it's become such a thing," Smith said, who grew tearful talking about it. "Our children are friends and it's not a good situation."

Barbara Davis lives on the other side of Smith's house, two properties away from the ducks. She said she wasn't aware the ducks were there until two years ago, but the matter has been stressful for Smith, and she was there to support her.

Also, "I've just spent a small fortune keeping my backyard nice," Davis said, "and the last thing I want is rats in there."

Appleyard disputes that Quackers and Sunny caused the rats. Hamilton has a rat problem in general, she said, and the only rats she's seen in her yard have come from Smith's greenhouse.

Lorraine Appleyard says she's kept Quackers as a pet for nine years. (Samantha Craggs/CBC)

Still, the committee voted unanimously to force Appleyard to get rid of her ducks.

"There is a reason that ducks and chickens are kept out in the rural area," said Judi Partridge, Ward 15 (Flamborough) councillor. "We have dealt with this bylaw a few times, and there is a reason that we have voted to keep animals that should be out on a farm in the rural area."

Appleyard held Quackers in her arms during the debate. The duck remained calm and silent, even when it laid an egg outside council chambers.

Quackers is too old to blend in with new ducks, or to be released into the wild, Appleyard said. She has a new home in mind for them in Cayuga, she said, but she's losing a cherished family member.

"These are my pets, and it's no different than having rabbits or a pot bellied pig, in my viewpoint," she said. "Yes, there is a bylaw, but I've always had these pets and it's never been an issue."