Stories2 min(s) read
Published 11:27 22 Nov 2020 GMT
A lonely bachelor has been ordered to get rid of the two geese he purchased during lockdown due to their constant honking.
Sven Kirby, a 34-year-old single man from Leeds, England, purchased the two birds for £40 ($53) each back in June for a little company amid the ongoing pandemic.
Since then, Kirby has hand-reared the two birds - named Beep Beep and Norbert - and the threesome can frequently be spotted walking around their local town together as the birds accompany Sven to the pub.
More on Sven's relationship with Beep Beep and Norbert in the video below:
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In fact, Kirby has them so well-trained, that the two birds can freely walk around his house wearing diapers.
However, despite their blossoming relationship, Leeds City Council has now ordered Sven to "prevent the recurrence of the nuisance" within 28 days, or face a £5,000 ($6,440) fine. The reasoning behind the abatement is simply that the birds back too much noise.
In response to the prospect of losing his newfound feathered friends, Sven said: "I love my geese, they're brilliant characters and great fun to keep as pets.
"The prospect of losing them is heartbreaking.
"It almost feels as if social services are taking my children away. Norbert and Beep Beep do see me as their father or mother."
The admin assistant revealed that two of his neighbors approached him about the noise and he has attempted to solve the issue by moving the birds inside at night.
The birds were previously kept in a pen in the yard at night, and still spend their time in there during the days Sven is at work.
However, according to Kirby, the complainants are still unhappy with the honking during the day.
He said: "They make a noise when they see someone pass or hear something, it's like a defense mechanism. It is a fairly loud honk but it's not something which happens all the time."
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Sven added: "What my neighbors and the council fail to realize are that these birds are my pets, they're not livestock.
"Just because they're geese does not mean they don't have the same standing in my house as a cat or a dog might in others.
"I'm sure that if they have to go then they will suffer separation anxiety."
Despite the fact the abatement notice does not specifically order Sven to get rid of the birds, it does order him to stop causing a "noise nuisance" - causing him to feel "backed into a corner".
Sven explained that there is nothing else he can do other than get rid of them if he wishes to avoid the substantial fine.
According to the notice, the issue will need to be resolved by December 8.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: "We take any issue regarding noise nuisance in our communities extremely seriously and will always investigate any complaints that are made.
"Complaints can range from various forms of anti-social behavior to the playing of music or loud noise of animals and birds.
"If following an investigation the level of noise is found to be of a consistent and unacceptable level a warning letter will be sent to the householder.
"This can include in some cases the serving of an abatement notice that requires steps to be taken by the householder in a reasonable timescale to reduce the noise.
"If no steps are taken, further action may be taken by the council. Anyone served with an abatement notice can appeal the decision if they wish to do so."
