Roosters May No Longer Get Henpecked in Urban Areas

A proposed amendment to a Horowhenua District Council bylaw should give neighbours peace of mind against noisy roosters.

Council's current Stock Control and Keeping of Poultry, Bees and Pigs Bylaw 2005 allows poultry to be kept in urban areas if housed in a properly constructed poultry house.

HDC Regulatory Business Unit Manager Mike Lepper said in the case of noisy roosters, the Council could ask owners to remove a rooster from an urban area if complaints were received however under the current bylaw it could not be enforced.

"We want to bring the bylaw in line with that of dogs where under the Dog Control Act the owner has an obligation to control their dogs and an Animal Control officer can seize an animal if it is the subject of complaints."

The amendment which is subject to consultation proposes that roosters cannot be kept in an urban zoned area.

Additional clauses relate directly to enforcement of noise issues, which are handled in accordance with the noise requirements of the Resource Management Act and/or the Operative District Plan.

Submissions now close on Thursday, April 10, 2008.