Cockadoodledon’t, perhaps
THE days of roosters ruling the roost in Dunedin may be numbered.
Dunedin city councillors have decided to review an animals and birds bylaw five years earlier than necessary so the council can enforce silence from the early risers.
The Dunedin
City Council frequently receives complaints about roosters crowing in residential areas and on rural properties next to residential areas.
Thirtyfour complaints about roosters have been received in the past 12 months.
As things stand, the council can issue an abatement notice or take the drastic step of going to court. However, methods for dealing with nuisance complaints are regarded as ineffective, tending to rely on owner compliance.
At a council meeting yesterday, community services general manager Simon Pickford questioned the wisdom of embarking on a ‘‘lengthy court process over a rooster’’.
Reviewing the bylaw could enable the council to ban roosters from residential areas or require permits from rooster owners.
Cr Jim O’Malley asked if only male chickens were under scrutiny. Council staff replied roosters made a lot more noise than their female counterparts.
‘‘It is not the only species for which that is true,’’ Mayor Aaron Hawkins quipped.
Cats may also come under scrutiny.
Some local authorities have considered limiting the number of cats per property.