A man has spoken of his “constant torture” living with months of “incessant crowing” from his neighbour’s cockerel which he believes should not be kept at the address.

William Ranieri, 48, lives in Craven Road in Brighton's Kemp Town where his neighbour keeps a cockerel which crows “day in, day out”.

Mr Ranieri believes the neighbour, who is a council tenant, is not allowed to keep the pet based on the council’s housing tenancy management policy.

He says he has been waiting “months” for a resolution, in vain.

Mr Ranieri works from home and said the sound triggers “irrational responses” including shaking, stomach cramps and anger.

“This has caused me immense stress and I think it highlights the lack of accountability in our community,” said Mr Ranieri.

He has reported the issue to the council which he says sent area housing officers to inspect.

“They then wrongly stated that the tenant was acting within their tenancy agreement,” said Mr Ranieri.

“This contradicts the council’s own policy which explicitly prohibits the keeping of cockerels due to the noise they produce.”

He says the way the issue has been dealt with demonstrates that the council has a lack of understanding of its own policies.

“Despite repeated attempts to resolve this, the council has failed to address the issue,” said Mr Ranieri.

The Argus: The cockerel lives behind the hedgeThe cockerel lives behind the hedge (Image: William Ranieri)

Mr Ranieri says he has been “forced to endure ongoing stress” and has even resorted to working with headphones on and the windows and doors shut which has been “uncomfortable” during the recent hot weather.

The Argus: William has had stomach cramps from the noisesWilliam has had stomach cramps from the noises (Image: William Ranieri)

He alleges that the council suggested a crow collar be used.

This is a device which is put on a cockerel’s neck to stop or reduce its crowing.

He said this suggestion was “deeply concerning” as it could be “cruel” to the bird.

“The collar has never been implemented anyway,” said Mr Ranieri.

“The noise problem persists.”

“This whole issue raises questions about the council's overall commitment to ensuring a peaceful and harmonious community for its residents.

“The failure to consult the immediate neighbours regarding the breach of policy further highlights the council's disregard for the well-being and concerns of those directly impacted.”

Mr Ranieri suggested the cockerel be rehoused to Whitehawk allotment which is just up the road.

A council spokesperson said: “There is no blanket ban on council tenants owning cockerels. We consider each permission request for a pet based on the individual circumstances.

“In some cases we agree conditions with tenants that are intended to limit noise nuisance from pets.

“In instances where people feel animals are causing noise nuisance we always ask the people affected to monitor the frequency and duration of the nuisance.

“We can consider withdrawing permission for a pet. But we can only do when we have sufficient evidence – such as dates and times – of the nuisance being caused.

“We cannot comment on individual cases.”