Decorah City Council might ban roosters within city limits

It might be illegal to own a rooster within Decorah city limits by the end of the year.

Decorah City Council members have been discussing how to handle complaints about roosters crowing early in the morning within the city limits.  One approach would be to specifically include roosters under the portion of City Code relating to "bothersome animals"--"It is a misdemeanor to keep within the city such bothersome animals as barking dogs, cattle, horses, swine, and sheep which tend to disrupt the peace and good order of the community."

However, city officials worry that the language of that part of the City Code might be open to interpretation.  That's why city council members are leaning towards an outright ban on having roosters.

At a work session this week, the topic was discussed again, with several city council members suggesting the rooster ban could be approved before the end of the year.