According to Der Spiegel a farmer in the Austrian town of Stallhofen, has been court ordered to remove cowbells from his cattle.

Neighbours of the farmer complained that the ringing of the bovine bells kept them awake at night, particularly when the bells clanged against metal feeding troughs.

The farmer whoes identity has been kept secret argued that the bells gave a calming noise and were also a Austrian tradition.

However Judge Erich Kundergraber argued that cowbells were not traditional to the residential areas and noted that the farmers cattle were in a enclosed field so there was no need for cowbells.

If the farmer doesn’t remove the bells he could face a fine of €100