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The Legend of Madisonville's Jailbird rooster lives on

We still deal with it about once every 8 months – we'll get a complaint from somebody's rooster who is crowing..," said Mayor Pelloa.

Leslie Spoon / WWL Louisiana

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Published: 9:50 AM CDT May 24, 2022
Updated: 11:22 AM CDT May 24, 2022

Madisonville may be a sleepy little town but some residents don't get much sleep – as the legend of the rooster lives on.

"We still deal with it about once every eight months. We'll get a complaint about somebody's rooster who is crowing. And that's what they do, they crow every morning," Madisonville Mayor Jean Pelloat said.

Pelloat says the issue of roosters was brought up about five times at council meetings in the past year, which resulted in a new town ordinance.

"It really had to come to a head so we could move on and have other things to talk about," the mayor said. "There were several numbers that came up on what would be allowed for someone to keep in their yard. And that came down to 20 hens and one rooster."

If you're wondering which side of the fence town hall is on, all you have to do is look up. It's a new building, but a weather vane in the shape of a rooster was there when it was purchased. The rooster is a little crooked due to Hurricane Ida, perhaps representing a town divided.

Some residents see the rooster as a nuisance, and others have embraced it as the town mascot, a symbol of country living, the farm and the freedom of roaming around without being caged.

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