Giant metal roosters are appearing on lawns in southern Maine and even as far away as New Zealand, serving as symbols of support for a 6-year-old autistic girl and her fondness for the colorful sculptures.
David and Sara LeBlanc, residents of Ogunquit, Maine, had a rotating display of the approximately 6-foot-tall roosters on their property. Town officials, however, classified these ornaments as impermissible advertising for their attached restaurant, The Omelette Factory, leading to a zoning dispute.
The LeBlancs initially contested the town's order to remove the roosters, asserting they were intended to provide comfort for their daughter, Pyper, rather than to advertise their business.
Pyper, whom the LeBlancs adopted after fostering her, developed a strong affinity for roosters. Her connection to the animals began with a stuffed rooster she had when she came to live with them. This fascination grew, leading to the accumulation of more than two dozen rooster sculptures. The roosters became a part of Pyper's routine, with her using one to hide behind each morning while waiting for the school bus, a practice her parents stated helped her manage emotions and transitions.
The situation escalated when the couple incorporated a rooster into their restaurant's logo, which appeared on merchandise. While the LeBlancs considered the rooster a "family crest," the town viewed the lawn statues as advertising.
In April, a code enforcement officer issued the LeBlancs $450 in fines and an order to "remove all unpermitted signage, including but not limited to rooster statues." The officer reportedly stated in June before the Zoning Board of Appeals that he was unaware of Pyper's autism diagnosis until the couple appealed the fines. He referenced a local newspaper article describing the roosters as a "fun and unconventional way to announce that The Omelette Factory is officially open for business," which he interpreted as a sign.
David LeBlanc contended that the reporter misinterpreted a customer's jest about the roosters functioning as an "Open" sign.
The zoning board, while discussing the issue, acknowledged the potential merit of comfort objects but questioned the quantity. A professor of special education explained that comfort objects are often used in therapies for autistic children to aid in managing transitions, supporting emotional regulation, and providing a sense of familiarity, emphasizing that these objects can be integral to an individual's needs.
Ultimately, the board granted a disability variance, deeming two roosters permissible for Pyper's access to the home. However, the variance stipulated that the roosters must be integrated into a railing, a condition not yet met, resulting in an additional $500 fine for noncompliance.
Despite the ongoing dispute, David LeBlanc is focusing on the positive outcomes. The family has begun gifting roosters to others to foster support for autism acceptance. Pyper, understanding the situation through the metaphor of making lemonade from lemons, has accepted the roosters being shared.
News coverage and a dedicated Facebook page have amplified the story, leading to widespread support. Individuals from various locations, including New Zealand, have shared photos of roosters in their yards. A motel owner in a nearby town, motivated by a relative with autism, traveled to New Hampshire to acquire a rooster after local ones were sold out, highlighting the community's supportive response.