Cole County Health Department officials found no problems after visiting a Westview Heights residence that was the subject of a recent complaint to the County Commission about the alleged noise and smell from chickens and a rooster on the property.
"There was nothing that we found which could be classified as a nuisance," said Kristi Campbell, health department director. "The resident showed us where the chickens are kept, and it was well maintained."
Commissioners had asked Campbell and code officer Mike Sapp to visit the site to see if there was anything that could be considered a nuisance under the county's ordinance that has been used to clean up rundown and overgrown properties.
Campbell said the resident also told them that he is getting rid of the rooster and asked them if there was anything else he could do to make things better.
The resident, who officials did not name because no charges were ever filed against him, declined to comment about the health department visit.
Bruce Erwin, who lives on Bradley Drive, told the commission this week he found it hard to believe nothing could be done about the noise and smell.
"I'm not surprised they didn't find anything since it rained two days before so it washed away any problems," Erwin said.
Sheriff Greg White said in talking with Prosecutor Mark Richardson he won't prosecute a case that would deal with noises from animals and there was little they could do since there is no zoning in the county.