Noise complaints ignite debate over roosters in Raleigh
The Raleigh City Council's City Law and Public Safety Committee will hear from the public Tuesday about the possibility of changing an ordinance that allows roosters in the city limits.
Posted — UpdatedSeveral residents have complained to council members recently about the distinctive cries of roosters, saying they can harm quality of life.
Scott Voorhees, who owns chickens, hens and a rooster named Little Big Man, says he hopes the city continues to allow roosters. Vorhees says the animals are pets, and he said there are plenty of man-made noises that can wake residents before dawn.
"The guy across the street gets his motorcycle going and he tears out of there," Voorhees said. "That's legal. You really going to pick on this when you have bigger issues? It's certainly no louder than a dog barking."
The city has received three complaints about roosters, and on Tuesday the committee will decide if it's a public nuisance.
City Councilwoman Mary-Ann Baldwin said she's gotten emails from residents on both sides of the debate.
"I've gotten emails from people saying, 'You don't have anything better to do,' so I understand that could be an issue," she said. "I've also got emails that say, 'If you're up at 4 a.m. because you hear crowing that's really harming our quality of life.' It's worth looking at. I want to be responsive to residents."
Tuesday's committee meeting is open to the public and is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. in Conference Room 305 at the Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St.
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