Post by Fuggle on Apr 11, 2006 8:50:41 GMT -5
GIVE SID VICIOUS PARROT AN ASBO
Neighbour in court bid to silence the lovebird next door
Apr 10 2006
By Derek Alexander
TWO neighbours have ended up in court after going to war over a parrot.
Gavin Livingstone claims 12-year-old bird Sid - named after punk rocker Sid Vicious - keeps him awake through the night with his squawking.
But Sid's owner, Isabella Morten, says she has had the bird all his life and there had never been complaints until Gavin moved in.
So far, the feud has seen environmental health officials called out to investigate 46-year-old Isabella.
And police had to visit Gavin, 22, after receiving complaints of him pretending to be an owl.
The pair, from Darvel, Ayrshire, are due today in Kilmarnock District Court, where Isabella has been summoned under laws to control noisy neighbours.
The court have the power to order Isabella to get rid of her pet.
They could also order the animal equivalent of an ASBO to silence the lovebird.
Under the Civic Government Scotland Act 1982, the owner can be ordered to ensure the bird does not cause annoyance.
Yesterday, Isabella said: "I've had the bird since he was four months old and this is the first time there's been a complaint.
"I can't believe Sid has caused so much trouble.
"It's ridiculous that we're having to go to court.
"I just don't understand how Gavin can say that he can't sleep at night because of Sid.
"He does make some noise but it's certainly not excessive.
"Gavin says he is chirping 24 hours a day - which is nonsense, because no bird does that."
The row over the lovebird - a small species of parrot - erupted when Gavin moved in to the street last November.
He asked environmental health officers to measure the level of noise the bird made before requesting the court to take action.
And last week, Isabella asked police to caution Gavin after he allegedly started banging on the wall netween their homes and pretended to be an owl.
Isabella added: "He was having a party and thumping the wall with his pals.
"They were making owl noises and it was something I just couldn't ignore.
"I've moved the bird away to the other side of the room. I don't know what else to do."
Gavin said: "The bird has been keeping me awake.
"It had me up before 7am this morning. It's all gone a bit too far now."
Lovebirds are scientifically known as agapornis - a colourful species of parrot from Africa.
They usually measure about six inches long.
They were dubbed lovebirds because they constantly groom each other if kept in pairs and sit as close to each other as possible.
Isabella's solicitor, Neil McPherson, said: "This has got to be one of the most ridiculous cases I've had.
"I haven't prepared for what might happen at court so I suppose I'll just have to wing it."
Neighbour in court bid to silence the lovebird next door
Apr 10 2006
By Derek Alexander
TWO neighbours have ended up in court after going to war over a parrot.
Gavin Livingstone claims 12-year-old bird Sid - named after punk rocker Sid Vicious - keeps him awake through the night with his squawking.
But Sid's owner, Isabella Morten, says she has had the bird all his life and there had never been complaints until Gavin moved in.
So far, the feud has seen environmental health officials called out to investigate 46-year-old Isabella.
And police had to visit Gavin, 22, after receiving complaints of him pretending to be an owl.
The pair, from Darvel, Ayrshire, are due today in Kilmarnock District Court, where Isabella has been summoned under laws to control noisy neighbours.
The court have the power to order Isabella to get rid of her pet.
They could also order the animal equivalent of an ASBO to silence the lovebird.
Under the Civic Government Scotland Act 1982, the owner can be ordered to ensure the bird does not cause annoyance.
Yesterday, Isabella said: "I've had the bird since he was four months old and this is the first time there's been a complaint.
"I can't believe Sid has caused so much trouble.
"It's ridiculous that we're having to go to court.
"I just don't understand how Gavin can say that he can't sleep at night because of Sid.
"He does make some noise but it's certainly not excessive.
"Gavin says he is chirping 24 hours a day - which is nonsense, because no bird does that."
The row over the lovebird - a small species of parrot - erupted when Gavin moved in to the street last November.
He asked environmental health officers to measure the level of noise the bird made before requesting the court to take action.
And last week, Isabella asked police to caution Gavin after he allegedly started banging on the wall netween their homes and pretended to be an owl.
Isabella added: "He was having a party and thumping the wall with his pals.
"They were making owl noises and it was something I just couldn't ignore.
"I've moved the bird away to the other side of the room. I don't know what else to do."
Gavin said: "The bird has been keeping me awake.
"It had me up before 7am this morning. It's all gone a bit too far now."
Lovebirds are scientifically known as agapornis - a colourful species of parrot from Africa.
They usually measure about six inches long.
They were dubbed lovebirds because they constantly groom each other if kept in pairs and sit as close to each other as possible.
Isabella's solicitor, Neil McPherson, said: "This has got to be one of the most ridiculous cases I've had.
"I haven't prepared for what might happen at court so I suppose I'll just have to wing it."
