Hundreds of chickens roaming free and roosters bigger than dogs: Inside a suburban cock fight which has a homeowner demanding $3MILLION after his neighbour’s birds invaded his yard making him ill from the smell and faeces
- Auckland homeowner has hundreds of chickens in backyard of suburban home
- Neighbour Chao Ji Su is seeking $3million from council after failing to sell home
- He claims the chickens were the problem and is demanding compensation
A frustrated homeowner is demanding $3million in compensation after being stuck living next to a home that has been swarmed with chickens.
Chao Ji Su, 81, has lived at his home in Auckland, New Zealand for more than 10 years. However, his neighbours growing flock of chickens has made him desperate to leave.
The property has been invaded with hundreds of chickens – some as big as dogs, Mr Su says.
They roam freely in the yard, some even fly over the fence into Mr Su’s property. His backyard is often covered in chicken faeces.
The stench alone is reason enough for Mr Su to want to flee.
Chao Ji Su, 81, has lived at his home in Auckland, New Zealand for more than 10 years
Hundreds of chickens and their chicks roam freely in the yard, some even fly over the fence into Mr Su’s property
‘It’s a nightmare now, I can’t sleep because they crow early in the morning, my property is covered with chicken faeces and my health is slowly deteriorating because of it,’ Mr Su told the New Zealand Herald.
Under council bylaws, the property owner can have just six.
Mr Su attempted to sell his property last year but no one wanted it.
He has now filed a complaint with Auckland Council seeking $1.5 million for failure to sell the property, which is valued at $580,000.
He believes his house would have sold for $1million if it wasn’t for the chickens.
He is also seeking $1 million for health compensation and $300,000 for medical expenses as he claims the chickens made him sick.
His medical expenses are not valued at $300,000, however, he believes ongoing treatment would cost him about that much.
He also wants $500 for the engagement of fly control services.
Chickens had been removed from the property twice before – once in March and once in August last year after an council order, Max Wilde, the council’s team manager compliance response, said.
Mr Su attempted to sell his property last year but no one wanted it – he blames his neighbour (pictured)
He confirmed they were reviewing the most recent complaint from Mr Su.
‘We are aware of the property Mr Chao is speaking of, and have received complaints about poultry at this address in March 2019 and again in August 2019. In both these cases the occupiers removed the poultry from the site.
‘Council responded to further complaints received in December 2019 and January 2020 and instructions to remove the poultry have been ignored.’
He said the council was looking at further action.
The property owner could face a $20,000 fine for breaching the Animal Management Bylaw.