Italians Offended by Nature

This is too rich: "Cock crows too early for town."

ROME (Reuters) -- A rooster crowing at the break of dawn has earned his owner a 200 euro ($295) fine in an Italian court after neighbors complained it was waking them up too early.

My first thought: these must be city folk! But, no:

ANSA news agency reported on Wednesday that the rooster's owner in Bolzano province would appeal the sentence, supported by the local Farmers' Association, on the grounds that he needs at least one rooster to breed chickens.

Bolzano is northern Italian province bordering Switzerland, and its main form of production is agriculture. In other words, this is the country. You'd think they'd understand.

On the other hand, that rooster might crow less if the farmer wasn't up at 4 every morning denying Jesus.