A rooster named Maurice, whose early-morning crowing got under the skin of his neighbours, has become the focus of a court battle in France.
The cockerel has been accused of causing noise pollution by a retired couple with a holiday home on the picturesque French island of Oléron.
His owner, Corinne Fesseau, says her cock is simply doing what cocks do.
Neither Maurice nor his accusers were present at court in the western town of Rochefort for proceedings on Thursday.
But the rooster, who has become something of a local celebrity, received a show of support from cockerel owners who had gathered outside the court building.
Corinne Fesseau with Maurice in her garden at Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron in La Rochelle
The complainants, Jean-Louis Biron and Joëlle Andrieux, built a holiday property in the village of Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron about 15 years ago, which later became their retirement home.
One of the reasons they chose the region, they said, was because of its tranquillity. But problems with Maurice, and what they described as his excessively loud crowing, began in 2017.
They complained to Ms Fesseau, who has lived on Oléron for 35 years, provoking a disagreement which became a headline-making dispute.
For Ms Fesseau, and her supporters in the local community, the issue is simple - cockerels are part of the rural way-of-life, and is it unreasonable to demand an end to their crowing.
Whether something will need to be done about Maurice will now be considered by the court, with a verdict due in September.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
We may all resort to vote buying if electorates prioritise such over development – Asiedu Nketiah
26 mins -
NDF engages mineral extraction communities in advocacy and litigation resolution
30 mins -
Adabraka in community A/R unites to combat electoral violence
38 mins -
Forestry Commission cracks down on endangered bush meat trade
38 mins -
Global GDP could plunge by 24% by 2,100 without urgent climate action
39 mins -
High Court dismisses lecturer’s bid to block Deputy IGP’s appointment
48 mins -
MTN records 35.5% growth in profit to GH¢3.76bn in quarter 3, 2024
1 hour -
Deloitte to hold training on navigating customs and excise duty Obligations
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo, Bawumia should have prioritised National Peace Campaign launch – Mahama
1 hour -
AGI works to clamp down on substandard foreign mattresses penetrating Ghanaian markets
1 hour -
Immigration Service intercepts 54 gallons of fuel
1 hour -
Ace Medical Insurance makes its mark at Ghana Club 100 Awards
1 hour -
Dafeamekpor takes Speaker to High Court to affirm vacant seats ruling
1 hour -
Government is not funding GMX music streaming platform – Director of Marketing
2 hours -
Energy sector not advancing enough – ACEP
2 hours