A Brisbane man who owns three peafowl has welcomed Brisbane City Council’s decision to backtrack on its proposal to ban the bird, saying they are just like cats or dogs and make wonderful pets.

Runcorn resident Brett Plagens was prepared to pack up and move house for the sake of keeping his birds when the council’s proposed change to legislation surrounding animals included prohibiting peafowl being kept on properties not classified as rural.

The three peafowl that live at a residential property in Runcorn. Credit:Brett Plagens

On Tuesday the council revealed, after feedback from the community, it would not enforce the proposed ban and would instead require residents to obtain permits for residential areas.

Mr Plagens said the proposal to ban them made the assumption all peacocks were noisy, untrained and upset neighbours.