Girl told to get rid of award-winning rooster

? Melissa Hensler got a “Most Unusual Pet” prize from her township two years ago for her pet rooster – but now the same township says the bird is a farm animal in a residential area and it’s got to go.

The parents of the 13-year-old say they may file a lawsuit against the zoning decision by North Huntingdon Township officials.

Melissa has raised the rooster, named Sundae, and eight other chickens for six years. But in July, say parents Barb and Don Hensler, a neighbor complained that they were raising chickens, and the township’s attitude changed.

The prize that Sundae won two years ago “is no substitute for township law,” code enforcement officer David Stitt said.

“Chickens are farm animals. You can call them pets if you like, but they are still fowl,” Stitt said.

A township board rejected the Henslers’ request for a zoning exception, leading to their consideration of court action.