Artist Threatened with ASBO Over Pet Cockerel's Morning Crows
An artist in a small Norfolk village has been served with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order warning over her pet cockerel's morning crowing, sparking a debate about countryside traditions versus council regulations.
The 'Upsetting' Situation in Aldeby Village
Sue Farthing, a 58-year-old artist living in Aldeby, South Norfolk, has described the situation as 'quite upsetting' and 'insanity' after receiving a Community Protection Notice from South Norfolk Council. The notice, issued under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, gives her just one week to reduce the noise from her rooster named Colonel or face potential police seizure of the bird.
The anonymous complaint came from a neighbour who claimed the cockerel's crowing was 'affecting their mental health', prompting a council investigation that involved monitoring Colonel's vocalisations. Sue, who moved to the village of approximately 400 residents three years ago, said she was unaware who had made the complaint against her beloved pet.
Measures Taken and Further Escalation
In response to initial council advice, Sue has implemented several measures to reduce the disturbance:
- Locking Colonel in his coop overnight
- Blacking out the coop windows to prevent early morning light triggering crowing
- Working on constructing a 'bunker' to help deaden the noise
Despite these efforts, Sue received another letter last week threatening a full Community Protection Order following further complaints. The council warned that failure to comply could result in Colonel being seized and destroyed by police.
Countryside Traditions Versus Urban Expectations
The case has highlighted growing tensions between rural lifestyles and increasing regulation. Sue argues that Colonel only crows once in the morning and twice during daytime hours, describing him as a 'lovely character' who helps protect her seven hens from predators like foxes.
'You don't move to the countryside and expect people to get rid of their animals,' Sue stated. 'This is a waste of taxpayers' money, and the council should be taking a common-sense approach. City folk should accept these noises as country life.'
She believes the incident demonstrates how councils are 'intent on destroying countryside life to appease city folk' and sets a dangerous precedent for rural communities.
Community Support and Council Response
A petition calling on South Norfolk Council to halt action against Colonel has gathered approximately 600 signatures, with many locals supporting the preservation of rural identity. Supporters argue that animal noises are an inherent part of countryside living.
A council spokesman explained their position: 'We engaged early with the owner of the cockerel and gave advice about how to reduce the impact of noise from the crowing on surrounding neighbours. Unfortunately, further complaints were received, and evidence provided which demonstrates that crowing, coinciding with daybreak, can be heard very clearly within the complainant's home.'
The spokesman added that the noise was considered 'unreasonable and persistent', justifying the formal warning, but noted that appropriate action by the owner would resolve the matter.
Background and Broader Implications
Sue began keeping chickens as pets 18 months ago after rescuing one, only discovering Colonel was a cockerel when he began crowing months later. She decided to keep him to maintain order among her hens and described the landscape around Aldeby as 'alive with muntjac, owls and cows'.
The case raises important questions about:
- The balance between individual rights and community peace in rural areas
- The appropriate use of anti-social behaviour legislation for animal-related complaints
- Whether newcomers to countryside locations should adjust expectations regarding traditional rural sounds
- The proportionality of council responses to noise complaints involving domestic animals
Sue plans to appeal to the council for more time to properly soundproof Colonel's coop while continuing to implement noise-reduction measures. The outcome could influence how similar cases are handled across rural Britain, where traditional farming sounds increasingly conflict with modern residential expectations.
