Rooster wake-up call leads to arrest in Rock River

LARAMIE (WNE)  — At about 6:18 a.m. Thursday, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance in Rock River involving reports of shots fired.

Out of an abundance of caution, Rock River School was placed on lockdown to ensure the safety of students and staff, according to the sheriff's office post on Facebook.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that the incident stemmed from an ongoing issue with a well-known local rooster that roams the area. The rooster had reportedly taken up residence under a camper trailer and had been loudly “cook-a-doodle-dooing” to the frustration of one resident.

Fed up with the early morning wake-up calls, the individual in question allegedly attempted to silence the bird with a shotgun. No one was injured — rooster included, the release states.

ACSO deputies made contact with the individual and discovered he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, which led to his being taken into custody.

The sheriff's office acknowledged its deputies for their quick and professional response — and as for the rooster, he’s alive and still proudly announcing the sunrise.

This story was published on June 6, 2025.