Ducks in a Rural French Village Won Court Case And Can Keep On Quacking

'The ducks have won'!

The French court ruled few days ago that a flock of around 60 ducks and geese on a small farm can keep on quacking, rejecting a neighbor's complaint that the birds' racket was making their life a misery.

The court ruled that the noise from the flock kept by retired farmer, Dominique Douthe, in southwestern France, was within acceptable limits, broadcaster France 3 said.

"The ducks have won," Douthe told Reuters after the court decision. "I'm very happy because I didn't want to slaughter my ducks."

The complaint was brought by Ms. Douthe's neighbor, who moved from the city around a year ago into a property about 50 meters away from the enclosure. The neighbor's lawyer claimed the noise exceeded permissible levels and prevented the neighbor from enjoying their garden or sleeping with their house windows open.

The dispute is the latest in a series of court cases that have seen rural French traditions, especially farmyard noises, challenged by new residents.