A woman in Southwest Florida received a surprise when she opened her mailbox over the weekend.
Resident Cheryl Kasper opened up a letter from Lee County Domestic Animal Services for nuisance barking.
Complaints of loud barking were filed with animal dervices, but the owner of the dogs in Cape Coral, Fla., said her bird is the one who barked.
"I'm pretty upset because I'm looking at the potential of a $500 fine," Kasper said. "The county wants me to come in with all the paperwork on the dogs."
Kasper plans to comply with the letter, but she said her Congo African Grey Parrot is the one behind the barks, not her dogs.
"Zazu picked up on the barking. He was looking for something to pick up next and barking was the next natural thing," Kasper said.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services issued Kasper a letter over the weekend. Karen Fordiani told 4 In Your Corner they send out over a hundred letters a month for nuisance barking.
"We will send a letter out that we get a complaint on in order to make the owner aware a neighbor is disturbed with what is going on with their pet," Fordiani said.
Animal Services didn't cite Kasper. Fordiani said usually a letter is enough in cases like this.
"If you get that letter, don't take offense," said Fordiani. "Just be a little more courteous next time around," she added.
Kasper will keep Zazu inside. She is upset it had to come to this.
"He's going to become isolated in a room just because my neighbors have a problem with sporadic noise made by a Congo African Grey," Kasper said.