In a move that would no doubt upset Foghorn Leghorn, Jake the Rooster will have to take his crowing outside of the city of Neenah. After reviewing various options over the last few months, the city council decided last night to ban roosters in the city. A family on E. Wisconsin Ave. owns Jake, and a neighbor complained about the crowing.
Alderwoman Marge Bates supported the ban, which the council approved on a 7-2 vote. Roosters, says Bates, are farm animals, and belong on a farm. Bates also voted against a proposal that would "grandfather" Jake in under the existing rules. That idea failed, 7-2. Residents can still apply for a permit to have a chicken coup in the city, as long as they don't have a rooster. The family that owns Jake will have 30 days to decide what to do with him. Some people have come forward, offering to take the rooster in.