‘Gutless thief’: Neighbours divided after council intervenes in bizarre garden feud
A “gutless thief” has stolen a bird feeder from the front of a woman’s home, despite it having been there without complaint for more than five years.
The anonymous stranger removed the popular wildlife snack station from Sara Roy’s Mandurah home, in WA’s south west, on June 12, making off with a “Welcome to my Garden” sign as well.
Four days later a letter arrived in the mail from the local council, stating it was “in receipt of information” alleging wild birds were being fed at her property.
Ms Roy, 56, told Yahoo News Australia she was convinced it was the feeder thief that had dobbed her in.
“Naturally I assumed it was the same person, so they’re a thief and they hate birds. I was so angry, I couldn’t believe someone could be so petty,” she said.
Being that the street she lives on leads to the beach, Ms Roy said often people would stop on their way there to watch and take photos of the birds.
“They’ve always been very popular. I’ve never had any complaints.”
According to the council however, feeding the birds created a “nuisance” and it was against regulations to feed a wild bird with substance deemed “not natural”.
A photo of the letter ordered that Ms Roy “cease feeding the wild birds” immediately.
In a move of defiance, the bottle shop employee replaced the old feeder with another one and attached a strongly worded letter to the thief.
“To the person who stole my bird feeder and reported me to the council, you’re a thief! Gutless,” she wrote on a sheet of paper attached to the feeder holder.
She said she thought the thief had gone about their issue the wrong way.
“I wish they had just knocked on my door to talk to me, but as always these people only do things anonymously,” Ms Roy said.
Despite her warning from council, she was determined to continue feeding the birds.
“I have a large bag of wild bird seed in the garage, so I’m going to continue.”
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