DEAR Editor,-
I live in Shelly Beach, which is a built-up residential area. My neighbour has kept a rooster for the last six months or more and this rooster starts crowing any time from 3.30am onwards. Being light sleepers, when the rooster wakes up, the rest of my family and I wake up, as do my visitors when they are staying over. Despite keeping all windows closed and fans on to try and create ‘white noise’ and sleeping with ear plugs, I still get woken up by the crowing.
I contacted the owner because at one point the rooster started crowing from 2.30am and immediately after that, the problem improved and we only had to deal with a 5.45 to 6am wake-up call. However, over the past few months, we are back to square one and not only does it start anytime between 3 and 4.30am, but continues to crow throughout the day. The rooster is being kept in a very large aviary, along with two peacocks and three chickens.
I have tried contacting the municipality and was told that protection services was the department to speak to but had two very unsuccessful conversations, one where the suggestion was to cook the rooster to get rid of the problem.
I requested copies of municipal by-laws, since other municipalities very clearly prohibit the keeping of poultry such as roosters, but again, the people I was put through to had no idea what I was talking about.
The lack of sleep is having a severe impact on me. I am reluctant to invite any visitors to come and stay because they get to spend their holiday or weekend being disturbed by the noise.
Quite frankly, I find it completely unacceptable that this is allowed in a residential area and would like to know what recourse I can take and with whom.
I look forward to receiving some advice or hearing from the municipality in this regard.
SLEEPLESS IN SHELLY BEACH
