Beloved Miami Beach resident Mr. Clucky may no longer get to rule his roost. The rooster — a "friend" and pet to owner Mark Buckley, 54 — is facing eviction after neighbors complained to code enforcement officers about the bird living within city limits.
Since housing farm animals is a violation of city code, authorities reportedly have no choice but to fine Buckley $50 and ask that Mr. Clucky be removed from the premises. But he's not going without a fight. Rescued by Buckley two years ago, Mr. Clucky was reportedly found bleeding and hungry in a South Beach bush, according to the Miami Herald. In his time in Miami Beach, the rooster has become quite the celebrity, regularly spotted out and about riding on Buckley's red Schwinn bike handlebars and even winning notoriety as an advocate for farm animal welfare. (Though he can't speak, he's the official mascot for bike-riding activist group Critical Mass, and helped register voters at Farm Sanctuary Walk for Farm Animals last year.) Noise isn't the issue with the rooster, who sleeps in a "quiet box" which keeps him from crowing in the early mornings. But authorities insist that there's not much they can do to force Buckley into complying with their rules outside of raising the fines associated with housing Mr. Clucky.
And Miami Beach Assistant City Manager Hilda Fernandez told the Miami Herald that there is the possibility that officials could ultimately remove Mr. Clucky from his home by force.
If the situation does go south, the rooster — a favorite of both locals and tourists — already has an offer for a new home: that of Coconut Grove resident Glenn Terry, founder of his city's oddball parade King Mango Strut, for which Mr. Clucky was grand marshal last year. Since being served with his summons on May 27, Buckley has drummed up support from around the world, keeping animal activists updated through the bird’s Web site. He plans to appeal his citation, and is expected in Miami Beach court on July 29.