One of his neighbors had complained to the city about a series of noisy and disruptive behaviors exhibited over time by the bird, complete with a formal log of rooster crowing (times and dates) and a list of times and dates that Van Fossen's rooster and chickens got away from his yard and entered the neighbor's property.
Van Fossen reportedly said that he's been keeping his rooster tucked away in his basement every night until 7:30 AM. And he tried entering into a settlement with the city, which was declined. So now Van Fossen and the City are scheduled to square off in Small Claims Courts on November 18th.
It's not clear to me whether its legal to raise urban chickens in Decorah, but it's a misdemeanor to allow them to run at large within the city.