The Hewitt Police Department has received several complaints since January regarding the constant crow of a rooster that is owned by a resident who lives on Ivy Lane.
Jay Collier said he got the rooster in October and since then he has received at least three visits from animal control officers.
He mentioned in December, he was told he needed to move his chicken coop away from his fence. According to the Hewitt Police Department, the moving of the location of the pen, was not related to the crowing of the animal, but to violating another city ordinance, which requires pens to be at least 200 feet to any neighboring residence.
Collier said the follow up visits from animal control officer referenced the crowing of the animal. Hewitt PD stated that since the beginning of the year, it had received roughly two complaints about the noise during different times of the day. Under the city noise ordinance, the keeping of an animal or bird which causes loud, frequent and continued noises that disturbs those in the near vicinity, is prohibited.
"I feel like I'm being bullied by one neighbor through the city versus just having a conversation like we do here in our neighborhood. When we have an issue, we talk about it,” Collier said.
Hewitt Police Assistant Chief Tuck Saunders said he would not call it bullying.
“Whether it’s chicken or dogs, it is a residential area. Whenever there are noises that disturb somebody, we get calls and we have to check into it." If it's against city ordinance, we try to get people in compliance,” Saunders said.
He added the intention is not to fine people regarding situations like this.
"We're not out here trying to write tickets gain money on it, just gain compliance so everybody is happy,” Saunders said.
Collier has taken several steps to reduce the noise, such as putting a no-crow rooster collar on his pet and taking him at night into his home.
The city said since its last contact with Collier on Tuesday, it had not received complaints from neighbors so for now it looks like they issue has been resolved.
However, if it becomes a major problem, Saunders said the matter would have to go before a judge.
"We don't want to do this because we know they're pets. The worst case scenario is that it can be considered a nuisance through the courts and a decision could be made on what to do with the animal or issue at hand,” Saunders said.
That is a concern for Collier who said the rooster is important to his children and the rest of the family.
"He is kind of my pet too. He brings a different dynamic to the flock and it would be upsetting,” Collier said.
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