Ypsilanti Township woman must give up Waffle the rooster, judge rules
A judge ruled that Kendra Wiedbusch cannot keep the rooster, Waffle, at her Ypsilanti Township home.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Updated: This story was updated at 5:39 p.m. to include information and comments from Mike Radzik,Ypsilanti Township's director of community standards.
Related story: Pest or pet? Ypsilanti Township appealing court ruling on controversial rooster
Waffle the rooster is more poultry than pet, a judge ruled Wednesday.
“We lost. We’re heartbroken. We’re devastated,” a sobbing Kendra Wiedbusch told AnnArbor.com by telephone after the ruling in 14-B District Court.
Judge Charles Pope ruled that by keeping the rooster at her home, Wiedbusch was in violation of an ordinance that prohibits people from having farm animals on parcels of five acres or smaller in Ypsilanti Township.
Wiedbusch argued that Waffle was more of a pet than a farm animal, partly because he didn’t lay eggs. When she was written a ticket and went to court to fight it, a magistrate agreed with her.
Pope, though, interpreted the ordinance differently and said that Waffles was indeed considered poultry and therefore not allowed to live on Wiedbusch’s property on Hull Avenue near Harris Road and Grove Road, which is not five acres.
At the earlier informal hearing, the magistrate ruled that no farming activity was going on at the residence. But that was only the first part of the ordinance.
“There was another part of the ordinance defining poultry,” Wiedbusch said.
Mike Radzik, Ypsilanti Township’s director of community standards, said the second part of the ordinance also stated that the raising of animals, livestock or poultry was not allowed.
A debate over if Waffle was poultry or not ensued. Wiedbusch testified because Waffle was a rooster and not a hen, Waffle was not technically poultry.
"She didn't feel she was raising poultry," Radzick said.
In the end, the judge did not agree in part because it could open up the possibility of people trying to have animals like bulls for pet, according to Radzick.
"The judge essentially found they were raising poultry," he added. "I think the judge, after reading the evidence, came to the correct decision. It's not sanitary. It's a nuisance in a small-knit neighborhood like that."
Radzick said an average sized lot in the neighborhood is .15 acres, far from the five acres needed to have farm animals.
Despite ruling against her, Wiedbusch said the judge was very kind. The neighbors on hand to testify against her, on the other hand, were not. Weidbuch said the prosecution had three of Wiedbusch’s neighbors on hand to testify.
“They were so mean. They made me feel so bad,” Weidbusch said.
Neighbor complaints about the rooster is what brought the matter to court in the first place.
So what’s next for Waffle?
“I’m confident I’ll find someplace wonderful for him to go,” Weidbusch.
The judge fined Weidbusch $100, but will waive it if Waffle is relocated within a week. Radzick said an ordinance officer will come to the house next Wednesday to make sure Waffle is no longer there.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
My brother lives in the D.R. where chickens act like they own the town, and I can confirm that roosters can be LOUD! But so can dogs and I know for a fact that the rooster has to be sitting on your open windowsill or in the tree directly ajacent to the open window before it will prevent you from sleeping. Get over it people!
nickcarraweigh
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.
There are some Cubans, I think, camped out at the end of the block cooking up big batches of something foul smelling and they have expressed an interest in taking Waffles off her hands. Also rice, pineapple, beans and lemon sorbet if it comes to that.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
Sorry meant reply to shank first time you get an lol nick
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:50 p.m.
Very good point, and btw chickens arent really unsanitary, they dont really poo that much, and they scract the manure down into the bedding. My coop does not smell, and I have more than one bird.
shankwiler
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 12:25 a.m.
"it's not sanitary" oh and hamsters and cats and cockatiels are? that is just stupid.
shepard145
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.
I'm amazed this farce had to also waste the time of a busy court system. Do these people think that farm animals are suddenly permitted in neighborhoods just because they choose to refer to them as a "Pet"? ….oh no, that's not a cow - it's my beloved pet Whiskers! Well said Snapshot ….this is truly the land of the clueless.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
Hey is there anyone out there with a truck who can help me pick up my new pet 'whiskers'?
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
Hey cow are docile harmless creatures that mow the grass for free! I SHOULD be allowed to keep a cow.
snapshot
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
Weidbusch is the one that was inconsiderate and "mean" not her neighbors. Her refusal to abide by the rules while imposing upon the peace and quiet of her neghbors to satisfy her own "feelings" should be a lesson for her. Instead she holds that "they made me feel bad" well weidbusch how do you think "you" made your neighbors feel putting them through this ordeal? What a lack of empathy and selfish attitude she has.
Enso
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.
Petition/Vote to change the ordinance if you don't like. Democracy in action!
Dutch Thomas
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
Radzik and the whole bloated ordinance department in Ypsitown are desperate to justify their do nothing jobs so they go after the taxpayers!!! instead or raising taxes just hyper enforce ordinances created to justify the existence of an ordinance department and collect your pay day that way! Radzik is a former cop whose ambitions go well beyond this kind of petty tyranny. They have wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars on bad, unenforceable laws that fly in the face of state law and common sense. Then they count on the fact that most Ypsitown residents cannot afford a real attorney to fight them in court!! This case would lose on appeal and their BS ordinances that infringe on PROPERTY RIGHTS would fly out the window and then Radzik and his minions would have to work for a living! They have ordinances like their solar ordinance lifted straight from the PETROLEUM INSTITUTES model solar ordinance play book that is designed to quash individual residential solar generation. This rooster could not have been "prosecuted" under the noise ordinance because they tried that and the rooster was not NOISY. I live in this area and the people who were there to testify ARE THE LOCAL BULLIES and Radzik the petty tyrant saw an opportunity to get his name in the paper AGAIN. There are many roosters, hens and goats in Ypsitown and I know where some of them are kept among COOL neighbors who get free eggs and goat cheese without any help from CONAGRA or MONSANTO. Organic Urban Self-Suffiency is about to run head long into Radzik and his Farm Haters.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.
Way to go Dutch! That's telling them! My neighbors think mychickens are entertaining! Some goats are entertaining too, but NO WAY! WE CANT DO THAT!
Dutch Thomas
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 12:28 a.m.
they are attacking the very people you aver the township that just enforced this law ON APPEAL are trying to help? Your statement has no evidence to back it and plenty of evidence to contradict Mr Roe. That department makes mole hills into mountains and then gets paid to do it by taking money from the taxpayers whose hard earned dollars are usurped to attack them with petty laws.
Richard Roe
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
The township ordinance department is complaint based, they only pursue complaints from residents and then enforce ordinances. Radzik and others of course have there personal opinions on all sorts of matters, but in my experience they have all done their jobs and are a asset to the community. There is a movement toward support of urban farming and self-sufficiency in the township as we speak, and the township board and those that work for the township will support the residents and are very open to ideas from younger residents who are the future of the community. I know its hard to support an ordinance you don't agree with but Radzik and those enforcing it do not make the rules nor are they able to change them on a whim. Please get involved with changing the climate in Ypsilanti Township to support the self-sufficient ecological sustainability life style of the future and stop the personal attacks on folks just trying to do their jobs.
clownfish
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:40 p.m.
They made me feel so bad," Weidbusch said. You are bad, a bad neighbor. Sorry, owning a rooster in a neighborhood is just plain RUDE! You are not free to annoy people, your rights end where their nose starts.
swcornell
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
Well, that rooster doesn't make any more noise than any other pet bird. Does that mean everyone in the township must get rid of their parrots?
clownfish
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
If the neighbors complain.
swcornell
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:30 p.m.
I suppose this means everyone must get rid of their vegetable gardens since that is technically farming and farming isn't allowed in the city!
clownfish
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
If you are tired of living in a land with laws and ordinances (aka a "nanny state") I suggest moving to a place where Randian rule prevails. May I suggest Sudan, Iraq, most parts of Mexico or The Congo. There you will be free to do as you wish. The people around you will be able to do with you as THEY wish. It's great, I highly recommend it to those that want to live free or die, you will get your wish.
jondhall
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.
Judge is right again! What next Pot Belly Pigs? Although some of this people could use a roster call to maybe wake them up!
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
Ooh pot belly pigs! I smell a loophole! I wonder if they make good bacon?
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
I have found much of the reasoning in this comment section to be very persuasive. I'd like to personally thank you all for saving me $200 a month. I play in an incredibly loud rock and roll band. Heretofore ee were very foolishly paying $200 for a practice space away from people, you know, being all "respectful". What a bunch of hippie bs. I feel so liberated, I'm going to stop renting that space, and start practing in my garage. I really like the music we make, so obviously it really doesn't matter whether it disturbs my neighbors. And, fortunately for me (and not my neighbors, who cares about them right, I like my music, and that's all that matters) I will use the extra money I have every month now to buy even more amplification. Thankfully the prior owners of my house ran 220V out to the garage, so our wall of sound will be nearly invincible. Furthermore there's none of that pesky sound-dampening insulation on the walls, so we won't get too hot in there during the summer. THis is going to be so perfect.
MIKE
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
No problem, music is a delightful alarm clock.
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
Oh, how rude of me. Neighbors, please feel free to make requests for what you'd like to hear. We will probably just ignore then because you don't matter, and we want to play what we want. And one more thing - our work schedules make it so we have to practice late at night. Again, thankfully we like our music.
G-Man
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1 p.m.
Remember, in Chelsea, Michigan you can have livestock in town..... If the right people want the Ordinance, it can happen....... Shouldn't be a problem in Ypsi Twp., should it?
MIKE
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.
Brian Or.....if you want to keep farm animals as pets, you can move to Chelsea.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.
Really in chelsea you can? Well chelsea is a nice place. If it can work for them, why not us?
Guinea Pig in a Tophat
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
Roosters are not allowed in Chelsea, only hens.
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:40 p.m.
This is the correct decision. Waffle is clearly and obviously a violation of the ordinace in the township. For those that think its a two way street and that Weidenbusch's neighbors are disrepsectul, I'd love for you to tell us exactly what ordinances they are violating. The fact is, one party is in violation, the others are not. Just because you like rooster crowing doesn't mean everyone does, and that's why we chose to live where we chose to live, which is in an area where roosters are not allowed.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
Actually some of us live in the city because that is the only place we can afford. Btw, I'm in the city, waffles was in a township
mermaid72
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
Loud, you should have neighbors that blow off fireworks whenever they want, or neighbors who shoot guns off for target practice on a daily basis. Or how about loud cars & motorcycles, those booming car stereos? Screaming babies? A rooster would sound like a heavenly chorus where I live, & I live in the country!
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
Yeah, those things are considered ok, but have a chicken, and your a criminal!
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:41 p.m.
Good point, everyone should have to put up with loud neighbors because you do. Problem solved!
Fester
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.
Maybe KFC would be interested in taking care of her pet for her.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:47 p.m.
Lol
Jay Thomas
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
I made my offer first, Fester. ;)
Madeleine Borthwick
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
Not funny, fester.
RUKiddingMe
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 10:34 a.m.
Roosters are incredibly loud, and they crow incredibly early. They had THREE neighbors go to COURT to TESTIFY. That doesn't mean anything to you people? I would imagine if three different neighbors bothered to go to court over this, it was probably a pretty serious nuisance. Someone on here posted about blasting heavy metal outside; that is an apt analogy. Someone on here also suggested wearing ear plugs in your own house. Seriously? You really suggest that someone wear ear plugs in their own house? That's your solution? And you think that's a fair and reasonable thing to ask of someone? Thank God in heaven you're not MY neighbor.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:23 p.m.
Hey, I wear earplugs to sleep when I am in the dominican republic, and it is a GREAT solution! I sleep great! Oh an btw, roosters dont crow because the sun comes up, they crow when they're awakened. Often that would happen by a barking dog, motor cycle with no muffler, or mobile stereos playing reggaton WAY too loud! Without all that, I could handle a sleeping rooster.
TinyArtist
Sat, Aug 11, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.
I have a number of reasons to wear earplugs in my own home. Take my wife. Please.
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:42 p.m.
Exactly. I live very near Waffles (although I did not complain or testify). Waffles is really loud.
cleanup
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 10:08 a.m.
Michigan's Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's efforts to suppress to the vote on Tuesday were so bad it made national news and annarbor.com's lead story is about a rooster!?!?!? Johnson ignored Gov. Snyder's veto and put the citizenship question on the sign-in slips at the polls. Voters who protested were ILLEGALLY denied the right to vote on Tuesday. Lansing had to send an emergency notice to poll workers by noon on Tues. ordering them to stop breaking the law but annarbor.com gives Waffle the top story. How on earth are we supposed to see you as a credible news source?
Jay Thomas
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 7:33 p.m.
Yes, it's terrible to ask someone if they are a citizen when only citizens are allowed to vote by law. What will they think up next... requiring identification? The horror!
Mike
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
Why do you have to be a citizen? How can I send a bus load of people to the polls who aren't citizens if they have to check off a box asking them if they are citizens. I can't believe people really think it is an unreasonable question to ask...............is it just me?
GP
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.
You're right - I didn't see that anywhere. I wonder if they will throw her in jail?
KathrynHahn
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 7:55 a.m.
Yea I have a neighbor whose dog barks all hours of the day & night, but I'm not going to become a whiny complaining neighbor, because I feel for the dog, and mine bark on and off during the day when strangers go by. Live and let live. Waffle seems like a cool pet, and isn't crowing at sun-up every day, and is kept inside as well. Get rid of the loud car stereos that wake me up first, then worry about feathered beings.
seldon
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.
How did her neighbors know she had a rooster? Yeah, I thought so.
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:53 p.m.
So her neighbors should get rid of what wakes you up first, not what wakes them up first. Makes perfect sense. Oh, and there are ordinaces against car stereos too. I think the number is 487-LOUD.
brian
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 3:18 a.m.
Anyone else tired of stupid Government telling us what we can and can't do? What a great free Country we are, yeah right. But people can have Pit Bulls.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
I agree dogs are louder, stronger, and more aggresive than chickens, why can we have one and not the other?
Madeleine Borthwick
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 10:37 p.m.
brian, I am so tired of all the negative press that pit bulls have gotten and continue to get. I have known many pit bulls in my life and NOT ONE of them was evil/mean/violent. there are no bad dogs. only bad owners.
clownfish
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.
The neighbors complained, they used existing laws to fix a situation that was unpleasant to them. It's the way it works in a civilized society. If you own a pit bull that is a nuisance or dangerous you will be told to get rid of it.
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
I'm not nearly as tired of "stupid government telling us what we can and can't do" as I am of kneejerk libertarians that instantly think everything is nanny state. Your rights END where mine begin. Don't like it? Take some personal responsibility and move someplace where there aren't any ordinances against your chosen lifestyle.
Dhurandar Bhatavdekar
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:59 a.m.
We have read stories about people keeping Siberian Tigers and Alligators as pets in New York City apartments, and a Rooster caused all this ruckus? Its sad for the owner, but the neighbors are also entitled to some noise free mornings.
Dog Guy
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:56 a.m.
I am sure that, despite this setback, Kendra Wiedbusch will find some other way to annoy her neighbors.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.
Yeah she might get a loud yapping stinky digging dog!
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:52 p.m.
I disagree. The Weidenbuschs are good people. I say that as one of their neighbors (who did not complain or testify). I think she was not intending to annoy her neighbors, but that was the end result. I think "annoy" is probably not a strong enough word.
In doubt
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 10:53 a.m.
I'm sure your right! It's all about being in the news!
mbill
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:21 a.m.
Kendra come buy my house and 10 acres. You can't put a price on Love.
sandra suarez
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
Thank goodness I moved to the country years ago. What a bunch of whiners and complainers.
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
Sandra - Exactly, thank you for moving to where ordinaces to not prohibit your lifestyle. Too bad others don't see this simple logic and basic consideration for others..
julieswhimsies
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:56 a.m.
I know, sandra. This is the A2.com/whine thread
Tom Todd
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:19 a.m.
have some respect for your neighbors in a subdivision or get out.
belboz
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 11:50 p.m.
Crow me a river....
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 10:55 p.m.
I wondr how many other people with less than 5 acres have a horse,rabbit or lamb or other livestock that are getting away with it?
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
RE: Waffle the rooster is more poultry than pet, a judge ruled Wednesday. -- If anyone doubts this, just watch how fast the rooster forgets his owner. While I have some sympathy for Ms. Weidbusch, I think she should be glad the judge didn't take away any actual waffles. ;-) Ypsilanti Township: the place where it's harder to keep a chicken than it is to peddle dope. Priorities, people, priorities.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.
Good point about the dope. I wonder if maybe we should work on that and leave the poor urban farmer alone!
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
Do you live near the rooster? Feel free to not appoint yourself as the authority on what everyone else's priorities should be.
Mike
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.
Be careful, your dog is next..................noisy animals
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:13 p.m.
Well said mike my man!
Lynn Glazewski
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
I hope that as soon as one of the rooster complainers comes home with a screaming squallin baby, Kendra calls the police and makes a big stink about the noise. If it's good for one, it should be good for everyone. BTW, you can block out almost any outdoor noise with a box fan running in a bedroom, or with earplugs. I don't like barking dogs or fireworks either, but what a bunch of whiners!
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.
Lynn, there's no ordinace in Ypsi township against screaming babies. And FYI: A screaming baby is nowhere near as loud as a rooster. Your post is very uninformed on multiple levels.
julieswhimsies
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:52 a.m.
You're right, Lynn. Absolutely.
Robert Granville
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.
Instead of whining about the law and its enforcement, you could try to change it. But whining.... that's what you're doing here.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
If Waffle needs a home, I can help find him a good one. Please let A2.com....you have my permission to give this lady my email address. A pet is a pet. Period. I am bothered by really loud cicadas at night. Dogs in my neighborhood bark constantly. Noise comes with the territory, whether you live in town or out in the country. I am so sorry you are losing your pet. I can find him a home where he will not be killed or eaten.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
Good for you julie!
ypsicat
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
Quit staring.
Robert Granville
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.
How about a pet tiger? Can I take it on walks in town? I've been thinking about a kodiak as well... /s
seldon
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
Roosters are loud as hell, and they start it up as soon as they see light in the sky. I'm guessing those of you who are saying "how horrible that they're making her give up her pet" have never been woken up by one.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
I acually have been seldon, and peafowl as well as songbirds and raptors. Hopefully they dont have to go as well
A2K
Sat, Aug 11, 2012 : 12:06 p.m.
oops, 5 grey, 1 white...where's my morning tea?
A2K
Sat, Aug 11, 2012 : 12:05 p.m.
For the ultimate poultry wakeup call (or intruder alarm) try guinea hens...they set up the most bizarre racket I've ever heard, and have such funny ways of scurrying around in a pack. I'd never seen one before I went out to my Mother in Law's hobby farm - her neighbors had a pack of 6...three blue-grey, one white. I thought they were pea-hens, but MIL told me what they were. Funny and LOUD little critters :O)
seldon
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.
(And peafowl, for anyone reading this who doesn't know, are way worse.)
seldon
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.
It's only joyful if you've chosen that. I might think heavy metal music is a joyful wake-up call, but if I started blasting it outside as loud as that rooster is, you'd probably do something about it.
sandra suarez
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
Yes, some of us have...I also have peafowl - God forbid you were any of my neighbors....
julieswhimsies
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
I used to keep chickens, and they do crow at dawn and other times of the day. It's a joyful wake-up call.
russellr
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 9:03 p.m.
Yes, thank you!!!! These people want to have farm animals in the city to torment everyone else. No neighborly kindness just what I want regardless of who it torments. We have a neighbor that is gone all the time and his huge dog barks all day long and all night long. Don't say go talk to him because we did. Do you think he cares he's not home to listen to it. I am ready to dognap the dog and take it off to someone that would be home with it or stop it from barking it's head off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.
Oh, and by the way killa, there is no more animal control dept around here now
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
And yet the dog is legal and chickens arent. Go figure
ThaKillaBee
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:34 a.m.
You should try calling animal control, or the humane society. Maybe the dog is being neglected. Be part of the solution! Whining about it won't do anyone any good.
Mousedeva
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
try sending Waffle to Cobblestone Farm then we can visit him!
tdw
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
Waffles is a Ypsi rooster I don't think he'd fit in
pegret
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
"They were so mean. They made me feel so bad," Weidbusch said. And how bad do you think the neighbors felt when they were awakened by this rooster at all hours? I think it's really unfortunate that they even had to be put in this situation to begin with. Thankfully the judge had some common sense. I grew up with and appreciate farm animals, but they do not make good neighbors in town.
pegret
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
Absolutely, djacks!
djacks24
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 10:02 p.m.
Not to mention them being dragged to court testify because she chose to fight the ordinance. Also, I wouldn't be real happy about AA.com painting the rooster owner out to be the victim either. I think they were pretty restrained, all things considered
JJ
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
Your rooster was a nuisance. Wake up! Your not the only person on this planet. Or NEIGHBORhood. sheeze.
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.
Nah, it doesn't go both ways. Waffles is a violation of the ordinance. Her neighbors were not violating ordinances. Pretty obvious.
ThaKillaBee
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
The argument goes both ways. YOU are not he only person on this planet, either.
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.
If she kept it in the house as she claimed I don't know how they heard it to start with. They just didn't want her to have a farm animal in the neighborhood. I know people who have 14 head of livestock on 6 acres. They are grandfathered in so they get away with it.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
Where is all this anger at one little rooster coming from? Just curious.
pegret
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 8 p.m.
I agree. I think the neighbors showed remarkable restraint. Waffles is probably lucky he didn't end up in somebody's stew.
Z-man
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.
Does Judge Pope really feel that the intent of the law he applied is really to prohibit owning a single animal as a pet? How about a bunny? Or if you're Barack Obama, a dog? Perhaps a violation of a noise ordinance would be more appropriate...whether it's a rooster crowing or a dog barking. Apply a law that fits the problem.
David Waligora
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
Noise ordinances are difficult to enforce because you need some sort of decibel reading to legally go with it for it to have any weight in a court. And then there's the conversation about what constitutes being too loud? The farm animal ordinance was the only logical concrete one to employ. Because poultry ARE farm animals. Most cats and dogs have been further domesticated to where they serve no other purpose besides being a companion. I'd like to see a toy poodle try to herd sheep. I mean really people?
G-Man
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.
I don't get the Obama part, maybe you can expand on that..........
fairfield
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.
Apparently, the judge does not know that cats and dogs are farm animals too : dogs to help rounding up the cows or sheep when it is time to bring them home; cats to kill mice and rats. Both of them are greater nuisances than a rooster, especially cats. They may be silent but they can do considerable damage in newly planted gardens (digging and pooping), and they carry diseases, especially toxoplasmosis: in otherwise healthy people, it can cause muscle pains that will last for weeks or even months. Dogs and cats became "pets" when people starting keeping them for company only, without their having to do any work; Waffle the rooster is a pet. He would be a farm animal if its owners also kept hens that he would be expected to inseminate in order to produce fertile eggs. But that was not the case. The judge was wrong in ignoring that distinction.
Z-man
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
I'm not disputing that, according to the letter of the law, this woman was in violation. I would, however, like to see judges exercise some judgement. In this particular case, was the rooster really a farm animal, or was it a pet? The complaint that kicked off this situation was noise complaints from some neighbors about the rooster crowing. Why couldn't the judge have applied a noise ordinance to solve this problem instead of a very literal interpretation of a farm animal statute? Stanthepotter seems to prefer the literal and strict following of rules as the way to go. This sort of thinking reminds me of a fairly recent case in which a kid was suspended from school due to his violation of his school's zero-tolerance policy on weapons. The rule also prohibited squirt guns (presumably because they could be mistaken for the real thing with tragic consequences). This kid brought a squirt gun to school, and he was promptly suspended...I suspect justifiably according to Stanthepotter. But should the school principal have exercised some judgement in this case, given that the squirt gun was purple and shaped like Barney the Dinosaur?
Mick52
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 8:07 p.m.
You can't make one farm animal a pet and not another. You have to be consistent, otherwise you risk charges of impropriety or favoritism.
Stanthepotter
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
The judge did. No farm animals on less than 5 acers
rs
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
I bet the neighbors are happy they don't have to listen to that rooster every morning.
A2K
Sat, Aug 11, 2012 : 12:01 p.m.
LOL - Unfortunately, Roosters crow all day long :O) Still, I feel bad for the owner - but Waffle is sort of a celebrity now, I'm sure he'll find a good home at a local rescue (don't forget to donate folks, they need every cent to help the wee critters!)
toofmullets
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.
Yes Mick, no class. Perhaps they should violate ordinances, which is completely classy. How ridiculous.
djacks24
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
"I wish I didn't have to listen to neighbors who own motorcycles. A rooster's crow is nature's most gentle alarm clock." Then move next to a farm.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.
I wish I didn't have to listen to neighbors who own motorcycles. A rooster's crow is nature's most gentle alarm clock.
Mick52
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
Sounds like bobs has never lived near a rooster.
bobslowson
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
Sounds like the neighbors have no class or compassion!
G. Orwell
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
What a nanny state we live in and waste of tax payer money. Don't these public servants have better things to do?
Skyjockey43
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
Tell ya what, I'll move in next door to you and practice my John Philip Sousa marches on my tuba at 5am every morning. Of course you'll be completely against any kind of intervention by authorities since public servants have better things to do right? Common courtesy and basic consideration for others is a commodity that is in ever dwindling supply these days. Everyone seems to only care about THEIR rooster.
bobslowson
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
I too am sorry about the outcome, I couldn't imagine having to give up my loved pet. I hope you will be able to find Waffle a good home.
BHarding
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
I'm sure he'll be happy strutting among the hens on a pretty farm somewhere.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:21 p.m.
I'm sure he was already happy
Jammers02
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:30 p.m.
So sad, I hope she finds a good home for him. Sorry about the out come.
SMAIVE
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
The judge made the right call. If you want a farm, buy a farm.
Brian ward
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.
Actually chickens make very good city pets, I should know...
Enso
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 7:16 p.m.
It's one chicken. Relax.
Robert Granville
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:27 a.m.
Or simply a plot of land larger than 5 acres.
ThaKillaBee
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
Who said she wants a farm?