Rotorua people have been told to stop dumping roosters at the side of the road.
Pauline Sainsbury lives on State Highway 5 near Ngongotaha and says roosters and other poultry are constantly being dumped in rest areas on the side of the highway.
She says the poultry are either run over, killed by dogs or perish in the weather.
"I've lived here for the past 12 years and this happens on a regular basis,'' she said.
"People seem to think that by dumping roosters at this layby they live happily ever after but that is wrong. What these people are doing is cruel.''
Ms Sainsbury said she and her neighbours had taken in some of the birds but couldn't help any more.
"There must be other ways to deal with unwanted roosters and hens.''
She said the birds would run out into the road, causing a hazard to motorists as well as putting themselves in danger.
"There is also no water or food for them. It is just not fair.''
Rotorua District Council regulatory services manager Neven Hill said there was no bylaw against owning roosters or other poultry in urban areas.
"People may not keep more than 12 poultry,'' he said.
"There is a further clause which states the birds must not create a nuisance for neighbours.''
He said complaints were often made to the council about roosters crowing.
"As far as dumping goes, there's no controls over that and I would recommend if people were concerned about dumped poultry they contact the district council's Animal Control.''
Rotorua SPCA centre manager Nicola Martin said the organisation received several calls from Rotorua residents wanting to find new homes for their unwanted poultry.
"We don't take them because it can be hard to find homes for them,'' she said.
"If people can't find a responsible place to re-home them then the best thing to do is euthanise the bird correctly.''
Ms Martin said if euthanised correctly it would cause no pain to the bird.
"If you do not know how to do it correctly, phone a vet,'' she said.