A cockerel in Norfolk has been served an anti-social behaviour order warning due to its loud morning crows disturbing a neighbour.
Owner Sue Farthing, 58, said she was threatened with a community protection notice by South Norfolk Council over the noise from her rooster Colonel.
Colonel is being locked away in his coop overnight and the artist has even blacked out the windows to help prevent disturbing the unidentified complainant.
Ms Farthing claimed the whole incident is “insanity” and the bird only crows once in the morning and twice during the daytime.
The Community Protection Notice of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act warning gives Ms Farthing a week to reduce the noise, or the police could seize and destroy the rooster.
A petition calling on the council to halt its action against Colonel has so far been signed by 600 people, many being locals keen to preserve the area’s rural identity.
Ms Farthing said the incident showed how local authorities were “intent” on destroying countryside life to appease city folk.
She said: “It’s quite upsetting. I’m a law-abiding citizen and to have an ASBO threatened against me is insanity. It’s out of proportion for the situation.
The quaint village has a population of just 400 people.
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“It sets a bad precedent for the future of the countryside. The council seems intent on destroying this way of life.
“Colonel and my chickens are my pets. This is not for farming purposes or financial gain.”
Ms Farthing moved to Aldeby, a small village with a population of just 400 people, three years ago and said the landscape is alive with all manner of wildlife, from cows to owls.
She began keeping chickens as pets 18 months ago after rescuing one, but did not realise Colonel was a cockerel until he began crowing a few months later, describing him as a ‘lovely character’.
South Norfolk Council conducted an investigation, where noise was monitored and Sue was told to keep noise to a minimum until after 8am.
Ms Farthing is now working on a ‘bunker’ to help deaden the noise Colonel makes, but said she would appeal to the council for more time to soundproof the coop.
“This is a waste of taxpayers’ money,” she said, “the council should be taking a common-sense approach. City folk should accept these noises as country life.”
“There are so many other issues that they should be tackling – potholes, road maintenance and flooding.”
A spokesman from South Norfolk Council said: “We engaged early with the owner of the cockerel and gave advice about how to reduce the impact of noise from the crowing on surrounding neighbours.
“Unfortunately, further complaints were received, and evidence provided which demonstrates that crowing, coinciding with day break can be heard very clearly within the complainant’s home.
“It is considered that this is unreasonable and persistent and accordingly the owners of the cockerel have received a formal warning which if acted on appropriately will be the end of the matter.”