By: Xavier E. Martinez, xmartinez@onlyforpetlovers.com

Mr. Clucky only crows when taken out of his queit box. Here the bird shows us his singing voice.

Miami, Fl – If you’ve spent a significant amount of time on South Beach’s Lincoln Road chances are you’ve witnessed this odd site: a six and a half pound rooster riding on the handle bars of a shiny, red Schwinn bicycle. An aged man dressed in jean overalls, sandals and a blue skullcap steering, his Smurf uniform he calls it.
Mr. Clucky and owner Mark Buckley have been cruising the streets of South Beach together for almost three years. A popular tourist attraction and a well-known activist, the white leghorn rooster has become the city’s most unofficial mascot.

“People think that he’s tied to the bike or his wings are clipped,” said Buckley. “Mr. Clucky can fly the length of a football field. He could fly to any roof on Lincoln Road if he wanted to. He chooses to stay on the bike.”

But now Mr. Clucky’s future is uncertain. The City of Miami Beach is threatening to evict the bird on a statute that prohibits farm animals from living within residences on the beach.

Buckely shares his small, first floor condo with three unexpected roommates. Mr. Clucky and his Guinea Hen girlfriend Wall Flower reside in the closet, a few feet from Buckley’s bed, and Woodstock, a rescued Dove, lives perched on a makeshift pole hanging over the door.

Over the past few years, Buckley, a farm hand and construction worker turned environmental activists, has taken in numerous birds. He cares for the smaller feathered friends, nurtures them back to health and eventually releases them back into the wild. But the bigger fowl like Clucky and Wall Flower he’s held on to.

Mark Buckley and his beloved bird prepare for their daily bike ride.

“In this condominium, the laws state you are allowed to keep up to 25 pounds worth of pets, and up to three animals including birds. What makes this bird any less valuable or deserving of care?” Buckley asked.

Three years ago, Buckley was riding through one of the low-income areas of South Beach, when he spotted a red object in the bushes. As he approached, the object stirred and let out a little cluck. Immediately recognizing it to be a badly injured rooster, Buckley took it into his arms and raced home. The area was known for Santeria practices, and he knew this bird was on the verge of being sacrificed and killed.

“I knew he had come from an egg factory because his beak was cut off to his face. I had to feed him food because he couldn’t pick stuff up at the time. His mouth hadn’t grown back yet. But bit by bit he got better,” Buckley said.

Now, him and Mr. Clucky are almost inseparable. The rooster cannot live without his beloved master. His favorite pass time is balancing on the handlebars of Buckley’s bicycle and posing for hundreds of pictures a week.

The bird has participated in countless demonstrations ranging in theme from environmental issues to political protests to anti-war campaigns. He visits schools and has represented organizations like EarthSave and Critical Mass Miami. Last year, Mr. Clucky was even named the Grand Marshall of the King Mango Strut Parade in Coconut Grove.

“This is odd. [When people meet Clucky] it is like looking at children on Christmas morning. I have only seen that look in the eyes of a few girlfriends in my life,” Buckley joked.

Buckley and Mr. Clucky cruise the streets of South Beach on a renovated Schwinn Bicycle.

Against the advice of his closest friends, Buckley does not charge for any of Mr. Clucky’s services. He views it as a positive asset to his community and wouldn’t have it any other way.

The city, however, does not agree with his rooster’s value. Almost a month ago ago, a code enforcement officer showed up at Buckley’s door to serve him a notice evicting the bird from the premises.

The citation stated Buckley was in violation of City Code Chapter 10, “It shall be prohibited for any person to keep, stable, harbor or maintain any horse, poultry, livestock or farm animals in any district.”

“The City of Miami Beach does not have an issue with the celebrity status of Mark Buckley or his rooster and their outings throughout our city,” said Nannette Rodriguez, public information officer for Miami Beach. “The city received a complaint about farm animals living in Buckley’s residence. A code enforcement officer was dispatched to the location to investigate and found the complaint to be valid finding a rooster and a hen living in the residence.”

Buckley was given a $50 fine and 10 days to get the rooster out of town. He has refused and is now waiting for his July 30^th court date in front of the city’s Special Master.

Since making his case public, Buckley has been featured on several media outlets including Fox News, The Today Show and The Miami Herald. His website has received hundreds of support letters from all over the world. And a radio station in Germany has even begun a “Save Mr. Clucky” campaign.

A pro bono lawyer has agreed to represent Buckley at no cost.

“My appeal is that Mr. Clucky is a highly valued member of the community, any charges against me are based in unwarranted prejudice... I believe freedom doesn’t mean doing whatever you want. I believe freedom means following your hearts desire and doing your best to get through life without hurting others or the environment,” Buckley said.

Rodriguez suggests he move the rooster to an area of Miami-Dade County that allows farm animals. One person has already offered Mr. Clucky a home on her farm. But Buckley wants the bird to stay put.

Mr. Clucky posing with his owner outside of a cafe on Lincoln Road. A common scene in the area, Mr. Clucky loves drinking ice water at the local Starbucks.

He believes without him the rooster would not survive. Apparently, Mr. Clucky does not eat enough from the hands of others to sustain itself. Giving up the bird, would be like signing its death sentence.

“He is an ambassador for the planet and a voice for all these tortured creatures that we’ve had a partnership with since the beginning of time. They’ve been allocated to these houses of torture for profit without a voice. He is there voice,” Buckley said with strong sentiment in his voice.

Now, all he can do is wait for his day in court. The special master will decide whether the city can make an exception in Clucky’s case.

According to Buckley, the veteran homeless population in the area has agreed to hold a candle light vigil for Mr. Clucky in front of city hall during the up coming weeks.

For more information visit http://mrclucky.com/