John Lee says he can no longer even open the windows at his property because of the smell from his neighbour's chickens. Photo / Michael Craig
John Lee says he can no longer even open the windows at his property because of the smell from his neighbour's chickens. Photo / Michael Craig
An Albany man who is at war with his neighbour over his pet chickens is upset that Auckland Council has deemed his complaint "low risk".
John Lee, who lives on Hobson Rd, lodged a complaint claiming his neighbour was keeping more than 30 chickens in a coop right on theboundary line of his property.
Under the Animal Management Bylaw the property can have up to 12 chickens without needing a licence.
Chicken owner Frank Ren said he had 20 chickens including a rooster, and admits he does not have a licence - but he only had so many because they recently had chicks.
Lee, who is renovating his house, said the chickens were a noise and health hazard, and were affecting his lifestyle.
"I've discussed this issue with little success and basically my neighbour says it is his land and he can do what he likes," Lee said.
Lee has just moved back to New Zealand from Australia with his fiancee and believed the chickens will severely impact their lifestyle.
John Lee is complaining that his neighbour had put the chicken coop too close to the property boundary. Photo / Michael Craig
Lee complained to the council, but was told it was unable to attend as it had a backlog of calls to deal with.
Ren, who has lived in his property since June last year, said council investigators visited his property last September over a noise complaint about the rooster by another neighbour.
However he maintained it was his legal right to own a rooster, and that the matter had already been resolved.
Ren said he had only moved the coop about two weeks ago because he was installing a new tanking system, and did not believe it was causing the problems Lee was complaining about.
"Everything is brand new, he started his complaints two days after the coop was built so I don't believe any of what he says is true.
"I know my rights, I live in a rural property, I can have up to 12 chickens if I want to. The coop is also within the legal boundary of the property."
Ren said he is giving away his chicks, and possibly also the rooster, to get the number down to the legal limit.
"We keep the chickens just for the eggs and to get the faeces as fertiliser."
Ren said Lee has also been on his property to check out the chickens without his consent.
"He is just a little bit pushy and a little bit rude. I will consider taking a restraining order if he keeps coming to my property without my consent," he said.
"I think if he wants to challenge me, then go for it. He doesn't have to try to create a media circus and things like that. He didn't approach me in a good manner from the beginning."
Ren said he would only get rid of the coop is if there was a court order.
Council manager of compliance response and investigations, Kerri Fergusson, said the council had to prioritise cases.
"The council works hard to respond to all complaints in a timely manner, but often we must prioritise those that pose the biggest risk to Aucklanders.
