Noisy ducks allowed to keep quacking

– A French court has allowed a group of ducks in the southwest of the country to keep on quacking after complaints from neighbours over their noisy behaviour, at least pending a detailed investigation of noise levels.

The case of the ducks in the southwestern Landes region was the latest in the country to pit traditions of rearing animals against the tastes of newcomers, following the well-publicised legal dispute over a rowdy rooster in western France.

A couple who bought a neighbouring property last year had complained of “significant noise” from the group of around 50 ducks and geese kept in the back garden of Dominique Douthe, 67, in the town of Soustons.

She said the ducks had been given a stay of execution by the court in the town of Dax in a decision issued on Tuesday evening, adding that she was “relieved” by the ruling.

“There was no proof of any kind of illicit or abnormal trouble,” added her lawyer Philippe Lalanne.

He said that the judge had ordered an acoustic audit to test noise levels which would be carried out in the first quarter of next year.

“I have the impression that with this audit the judge is giving us the chance to get together and discuss and find an amicable solution,” he added.

The couple who brought the complaint, who insisted that repeated requests to solve the issue had been ignored, has sought €150 (about R2 500) for each day the noise continued as well as €3 500 in damages and €2 000 in legal costs from the owner of the ducks. – AFP