The mail arrived last week in the mailboxes of some 250 residents of Emberménil (Meurthe-et-Moselle). Not just any one! In it, everyone learned that it would now be illegal to have more than one rooster, a guinea fowl and two dogs in your home. Otherwise, fine of 68 euros or even criminal sanction. Everything was mentioned in the municipal decree applicable on Wednesday and signed by Mayor Angeline Lamy.
“The unwanted noises must stop”, justifies the councilor to 20 minutes, which made this decision because it was regularly contacted by residents complaining of nuisances. Those close to homes housing several roosters and another where “seven dogs” reside. “I get called all the time, night and day!” It’s been like this for three years and I went to see it myself. A rooster howling all day and at any time of the night is not normal. These are big neighborhood problems but they don’t communicate with each other. So I decided to act. »
In order “not to target one of the two subdivisions where there are problems”, she therefore issued an order for the entire municipality. “I consulted the association of mayors of Meurthe-et-Moselle and its legal department,” explains Angeline Lamy. The municipal council was not consulted. Hence many misunderstandings, since then, in the village. “I discovered this in my mailbox, like many people,” explains an assistant, without necessarily proving the mayor wrong. “More and more, we see former city dwellers arriving and they especially don’t want rural constraints. Yes in the countryside, there are tractors and the rooster crows! »
However, neither the form nor the substance of the decree pleased him. “People were hurt and many took it as an attack on their freedom to own pets. » An argument that makes Angeline Lamy jump: “But isn’t letting your pet scream all day an attack on public health? I think everyone has the right to want to rest and not want to be constantly disturbed by noise. It is up to everyone to be careful of the nuisance they cause. My neighbors have roosters and things are going very well. »
Faced with numerous criticisms, the councilor has since suspended his order. “It will not be canceled but reworked,” she persists, preparing for a lively municipal council meeting Friday evening. Not by roosters or dogs.