Police in Georgia on prowl for certain nuisance critters

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. --Residents in Norcross, northeast of Atlanta, are fed up with having roosters on the loose.

"They wake me up early, like 4 o'clock in the morning!" Christie Palmer, a resident of Goodwick Way, told CBS Atlanta affiliate WGCL-TV.

Neighbors say flocks roam around like gangs, going from yard to yard.

And droppings are also causing health concerns. "I'm concerned about their [her kids and dogs] health," said Palmer.

"The problem is people are letting them loose because they don't want to get fined," said Sgt. Arelis Rivera with the Norcross Police Department.

Roosters are actually illegal in Gwinnett County, and in Norcross the city's municipal code only allows owning chickens if they're kept in a pen on half an acre. Violators can be fined up to a $1,000.

The situation now is so bad, officers have started rooster patrols. They even warn residents to be on the lookout for one in particular, Rodney the rooster.

"And you know we have so many other issues to take care of," said Sgt. Rivera. "If you see Rodney ... call 911."

Officers are calling on residents to call 911 and report loose roosters. They're working with county government officials to enforce the city's code on residents.