Pet owner hit with £3,000 fine after ‘nightmare’ cockerel crows 76 times an hour
One neighbour described the unruly bird as a ‘nuisance, a nightmare’
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Your support makes all the difference.A pet owner has been ordered to pay more than £3,000 after neighbours repeatedly complained about his unruly cockerel’s constant crowing.
Officials from North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) attended the address in New Tupton with specialist monitoring equipment and found the bird crowed 76 times in 50 minutes between 5.53am to 6.43am.
It followed a previous investigation which saw equipment installed at the property, which found the frequency of the crowing was “excessive” and continued in high numbers without the day.
Its owner, Derek Bower, was sent a noise abatement notice following the complaints, which gave him sufficient time to rein in his troublesome pet and the detrimental impact on his neighbours.
However, following a lack of engagement with the council, the case was sent to Derby Magistrates’ Court.
After failing to attend the hearing in December, Mr Bower was fined £660 in his absence. He was also ordered to pay a £924 victim surcharge and £1,623.96 in costs, to be paid within 28 days.
As it remains unpaid, the case has been referred to NEDDC’s legal team for non-payment.
Speaking to the BBC, one female neighbour who wished to remain anonymous said: "A nuisance, a nightmare, early hours of the morning, crowing. And when you want to sleep at that time of the morning you don't need it.”
She added the noise from the bird wasn't restricted to the morning.
"Sometimes it's all day. And I don't think it's right," she said.
North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Steve Pickering said: “We won’t hesitate to take action when someone causes a noise nuisance which affects our residents’ quality of life.
“Our team is happy to help though to prevent instances like this happening in the first place, so if anyone does need advice, I’d encourage them to get in touch.”
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