Fowl noise? Maryland couple facing fines over crowing rooster named Wilbur

PARKTON, Md. — A Maryland couple is facing fines over a rooster whose crowing is not popular with their neighbors.

Drew and Jackie Tanenbaum, of Parkton, said they acquired Wilbur in August and love his presence, WBAL-TV reported.

“He’s just a really funny rooster,” Jackie Tanenbaum told the television station. “He protects the flock, he flaps his wings, he chirps. (He’s) just friendly and fun to be around.”

There's a petition to save a rooster named Wilbur who is loved by his owners, but not his neighbors.https://t.co/5AOZVGkzO1
— WMAR-2 News (@WMAR2News) January 11, 2023

According to a petition created on Change.org, the Tanenbaums said a neighbor has filed several nuisance complaints with animal services about Wilbur’s crowing. They are facing fines of at least $4,650, WMAR-TV reported.

“Our neighbors came out and said, ‘Hey, we don’t like your rooster. Can you get rid of him?’ They did offer an alternative to committing to not replacing him when he dies. We’ve never been given the opportunity to engage in open dialogue,” Drew Tanenbaum told WBAL. “(Baltimore County) has now issued us two citations, one for $150 and a second one for $4,650.

Live toucans seized by customs officers at border in San Diego

“It’s essentially $150 for every alleged crow that Wilbur makes that our neighbor was able to document.”

The petition is looking to raise money to cover court fees and was seeking 1,500 signatures to present in their case. As of Saturday morning, more than 7,000 people have signed the online document.

The Tanenbaums have a hearing set for Jan. 24, according to WBAL. County officials said the neighbor has to provide proof of excessive noise, the television station reported.

The Animal Services Board will then decide whether uphold the fines or dismiss the case.

“I think there’s the common belief that chickens and roosters belong in the country, and I think that people really agree with us that there is a lot (of) support in the community to let people live a rural lifestyle and enjoy having your own food come from your back yard,” Jackie Tanenbaum told WBAL.