A PET owner has been slapped with a £3,000 bill after his noisy cockerel left neighbours in a “living hell”. Environment officers went to record the din outside Derek Bower’s home in Tupton, Derbys, following a complaint. They heard the rooster crowing 76 times in less than an hour from 5.53am to 6.43am — more than once a minute.
![[Close-up of a hen in a chicken coop.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NINTCHDBPICT000879084525.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Bower was sent a noise abatement notice by North East Derbyshire District Council, which gave him time to rein in the bird’s behaviour. But after refusing to engage with officials, he was taken to Derby magistrates’ court. Bower failed to attend the hearing last December.
![[HANDOUT IMAGE from The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) . Red Dorking cockerel]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/crop-33484400.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He was fined £660 and ordered to pay a £924 victim surcharge and £1,623.96 costs. The fine has not been paid so the council has now contacted its legal team. North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Steve Pickering said: “We won’t hesitate to take action when someone causes a noise nuisance which affects our residents’ quality of life.
“Our team is happy to help to prevent instances like this happening in the first place, so if anyone does need advice, I’d encourage them to get in touch.”. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
