August 5, 2009

MIAMI -- Mr. Clucky, the plucky rooster, has been ousted from his Miami Beach roost, as of Thursday's coding ordinance hearing.

The pet rooster and owner, Mark Buckley, found themselves in court after neighbors complained that livestock was living in the building.

At the hearing, Special Master Joe Kaplan a ordered Buckley to pay a $50 fine and gave code officers the authority to remove Clucky and his girlfriend, Wallflower, from his condo.

But Kaplan also encouraged Buckley to consider asking the City Commission to grant a special exception to the current codes.

Before this latest notoratity, Mr. Clucky has been a public attraction along Miami's South Beach, attracting tourists and known to locals for his regular outings to the popular hot spot.

"People seem to love Mr. Clucky. They love to hear him crow," said Buckley. "It's kinda something different for them, kinda bringing a little nature to the beach."

Mr. Clucky could be called the resident rooster of Miami Beach.

"Everyone knows Mr. Clucky," said Greg Glover, a resident of Miami Beach. "He's like a dog, he's got so much personality."

On any given day, people can spot Mr. Clucky and Buckley riding a bike up and down Lincoln Road, the popular outdoor mall of shops and restaurants. Mr. Clucky's large claws and talons let him grip the handlebars of the bike with ease.

"He seems to be a natural on the bike," Buckley said. "Occasionally we go on pretty long rides. He loves to be on the bike."

He's also known for volunteering at schools and nonprofits to raise awareness about factory farm animals, being named Miami Beach's "Activist of the Year" by Metro Mix Magazine in 2008.

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The honor comes after Mr. Clucky's involvement with animal welfare causes, such as leading the "Walk for the Farm Animals," joining a local eighth grader's protest against Kentucky Fried Chicken's alleged torture of animals and being the mascot for Critical Mass, Miami's Earth-friendly activist and bike riding enthusiast group.

This tall tale of "man and bird" began almost three years ago.

"I found Mr. Clucky in my neighborhood in Miami Beach," Buckley recalled. "He was hurt in the bushes, his beak was cut off to his face and he had a cut on his head."

Buckley says he will appeal the order so his rescued rooster can continue living his normal life of making folks happy.

Robin Wallace is the editor for Zootoo Pet News and can be reached at rwallace@zootoo.com.

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