Q. Some feral chickens and a rooster have been gathering at the corner of Anuhea Street and Wilhelmina Rise every morning for the past two weeks. The rooster crows constantly every morning. No one in the neighborhood claims ownership of the birds. I called the Humane Society and they asked for my number, but they haven't done anything and haven't called back. What can my neighbors and I do? Can we kill the birds without penalty?

I can't play my stereo loudly, have fighting matches or yell and scream every morning, as I would be arrested for disturbing the peace. How come this is allowed to happen without repercussions? I feel this is because animals are the ones breaking the law.

A. Wouldn't it be nice if animals were bound by the same laws as humans?

Speaking of laws, there are none that specifically address the killing of a feral bird, but the method used may be illegal. "If you use a firearm and there are people around, it might not be that clear," pointed out one police officer, who directed me to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

It didn't get any clearer at the state agency, because despite being feral, the chickens fall under the domestic bird category, and consequently, out of DLNR's jurisdiction. DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward said, "We don't believe that someone could just kill a rooster — it might be someone's property — and there could be public-safety issues depending on the method used. The safest thing is to trap, but it is not a guaranteed method."

If you'd prefer to have someone else take care of the chickens, call the Hawai'i Game Breeders Association at 783-8199. The organization's city contract to round up the feral roosters has recently been renewed. The Hawaiian Humane Society probably did not return your call because it is no longer responsible for wild fowl.