Claude the cockerel may have paid with his life for crowing

Poultry breeder Jane Gosney, 54, was horrified to find eight-month-old Light Sussex bird Claude dead in his cage.

Around two weeks ago Claude and two other birds disappeared on the same evening from the village of Bishop Monkton, North Yorkshire, causing concern among residents. The mystery deepened when Claude was found unharmed by a river three miles away from the village.

Ms Gosney says the trouble began two years ago when she began receiving anonymous letters complaining about noise – a complaint which the local council dismissed.

But the mother-of-two found Claude with his neck broken on Sunday morning. Now villagers are installing CCTV in their gardens to catch the culprit.

Ms Gosney said: “I am distraught. Waking up on a Sunday morning to find the remains of your dead cockerel is very traumatic. Whoever did this must have planned it and used bolt cutters.

“It’s terrible. I kept him covered up in his cage so he never made any noise. Police have questioned one suspect who denied any involvement.

“I’m at a loss to say why anyone would kill a defenceless animal in this way.”

Resident Richard Field added: “Ninety-nine per cent of the village are shocked and horrified that somebody should be doing this because I think most people would think they are a legitimate part of village life.

“But people here are resilient. They are not going to be stopped by one person who seems to be obsessed by cockerel noise.”

Pc Gareth Jones from Ripon said: “This case has now escalated from a simple theft to a burglary and an alarming case of animal cruelty. It is also extremely distressing for its owner.”