Bird owner cries ‘fowl’
A MAN who chained himself to the Burdekin Shire Council building to protest against the confiscation of his roosters was taken away by ambulance officers because of mental health concerns.
The man’s mother said the roosters were his livelihood and he chained himself to the council building to protest against a $3500 fine to attain custody of his roosters.
The council seized the birds due to noise complaints made by his neighbours and granted the man an extension until 2pm today to pay the fine in order to regain custody of his roosters.
“These birds, apart from being a hobby, were his life and therapy for him,” she said.
“We have done everything they have asked us, we have even killed a number of birds to reduce the numbers. We have built training pens to keep them in the shed to try and keep the noise down.”
The man’s mother said the council didn’t let them know they were coming to take the birds and said the actions taken by the council were unreasonable.
“The first thing we knew was when they rocked up at 8.20 on August 26, with two police officers and a warrant to seize the roosters,” she said.
“In our last meeting with them we said, ‘let us know what is happening and we will make some other arrangements,’ and they agreed to that, but they never followed through.”
In a statement, Burdekin Shire Council CEO Terry
Brennan said the council first received a complaint of multiple poultry at the man’s property in May, 2020.
“Officers attempted to inspect the property at the time and were denied entry nor provided any details of animals kept on the property.
“A noise complaint was then received on August 6, 2020. Surveillance was undertaken on 26 November 2020 and 9 February 2021, and on both occasions, the noise generated by the roosters was in breach of local laws relating to excess noise.
“The man was issued a compliance notice to reduce the noise on 12 February 2021 and was granted an extension on 7 April to allow him time to build rooms for the animals in question.
“Further surveillance was conducted on 6 May, with noise still in breach of local laws. The man was issued with an infringement notice on 8 June for failing to comply with a compliance notice, however was granted a further twoweek extension to fit crowing collars to his roosters on 17 June.
“On 28 July council advised the man that as the noise nuisance had not been reduced to an acceptable level, council had no choice but to continue enforcement action which may include seizure of the roosters.
“On 3 August, surveillance was conducted again and the noise was still in breach of local laws, with roosters seized pursuant to a warrant on 26 August.
“Forty roosters were seized from the property, however council was aware of up to 60 on the premises at times.
“Council has granted the man extensive time to comply with compliance notices – the affected neighbours, who live in close proximity, have been very patient throughout negotiations and worked with council where options and possible solutions were trialled.
“These neighbours, including young families, have not had relief from the noise over the past 15 months.
“Council staff have followed the legal process and provided the man with extensive opportunities to comply.
“The birds will be managed as per council’s normal impound procedures and be rehomed where feasible and where no contravention of local laws would occur – euthanisation is a final resort if rehoming is not an option.”
NEIGHBOURS, INCLUDING YOUNG FAMILIES, HAVE NOT HAD RELIEF FROM THE NOISE (OF THE ROOSTERS) OVER THE PAST 15 MONTHS
BURDEKIN SHIRE COUNCIL CEO TERRY BRENNAN