Help Me Howard: Rooster

Klaudia Capote: "The kids even gave him a name, his name is Charlie now."

And every morning, Alana goes out to feed Charlie.

Klaudia Capote: "Putting out food for Charlie. When they don't see him, they throw the food on the street for him to come."

Its actually hard to tell whether Charlie adopted this Miami neighborhood, or the neighborhood kids adopted him.

Klaudia Capote: "It's like a part of their day, they say hello before they go to school and before they go to sleep they have to say good night."

Charlie first popped in last year.

Bob Eix: "It was after one of the storms, Katrina or Wilma, that we were doing our normal walk and noticed the rooster by the side of the road."

Now since Charlie is a rooster he does crow. But, the neighbors like him because he not like most roosters and doesn't crow at Sunrise.

Bob Eix: "He seems to have days and nights mixed up .. because every time I walk by in the evening, that's when he's crowing."

Most of the neighbors like Charlie. But, one fellow of course, doesn't.

Bob Eix: "This guy just gets a thrill out of watching this happen."

According to Bob the fellow likes to turn his dog loose to chase .

Charlie

Bob Eix: "Everyday I see it happen."

And you don't have to take Bob's word for it.

While we were there Charlie came running by.

The dog without a leash, was right behind.

And the owner stood and watched.

Fortunately, Charlie got away again.

Bob Eix: "I yelled, and the man just turned around and asked me what my problem was. I just asked him, why are you letting your dog attack this poor bird? His answer was it's just mother nature. That's just the way things are."

We wanted to talk to the dog owner.

He didn't have anything to say to us.

But the neighborhood kids are worried, one day Charlie will not get away from the dog.

Bob Eix: "Being wild, the bird can fly, so half the time he's able to get up into a tree. But other times, he's cornered and into a fence, can't get away. It's horrible. The bird deserves more respect than that."

But does he, or, can an owner let their animal catch and kill someone's adopted animal?

Howard Finkelstein: "Florida has passed an animal fighting act which says you cannot release your dog in order to provoke or harass another animal. That means you can't let your dog kill the rooster. If you're caught you could go to jail for five years or face fines of five thousand dollars."

That's the good news for the neighborhood. But, while skimming through the law books we came across for bad news for the kids that are feeding old Charlie.

Howard Finkelstein: "Roosters are not allowed under the city of Miami Code which says no rooster shall be kept, harbored bread or maintained at anytime. That means the neighbors who throw out food for the rooster, could technically be in violation of the law. Although, I don't think the police are going to come and get them."

And the neighbors aren't going to let Charlie starve.

They hope he can safely peck around, crowing when the sun sets, for a long time.

Klaudia Capote: "He's part of the family."

Patrick fraser: "Charlie is not considered a wild animal. He's a farm animal that you see all over South Florida even though most cities like Miami don't allow them. As for wild animals, remember its illegal to feed them. Tossing food to things like alligators or raccoons is considered a "no-no" by the state of Florida.

A problem dogging you? Don't chicken out. Let us help. We don't crow about solving problems, because we know, one day we are gonna lay an egg.

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