July 05, 2019

Andrew Campbell 

The plaintiffs, Jean-Louis Biron and Joëlle Andrieux aged 70 and 65, built their holiday property in the village of Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron in 2004, which later became their retirement home. The couple filed the legal case for “abnormal noise disturbance” against Maurice the cockerel. A local court in Rochefort examined such dispute between neighbors on July 4.

They complained of Maurice’s abnormally high levels of noise every morning at 6:30am that disturbed their peace at home. The couple’s lawyer said they wanted the court to rule that Maurice’s noise must stop. Lawyers for Maurice’s owner, Corinne Fesseau, argued that Maurice’s early-morning crowing was harmless and did not constitute “abnormal noise” on the island.

The arguments in court were focused on whether the island Saint-Pierre d’Oléron, Maurice’s home town, with 7,000 residents in winter and 35,000 in summer, could be described as a rural area or not. The lawyer for the retired couple said it was considered a built-up urban area.

Maurice has received supports from all over France. A verdict is expected due on September 5.

Photo:Webshot.