R.I. neighbors: Cussing cockatoo violates noise law

WARWICK, R.I. -- A Rhode Island woman has been accused by her neighbors of violating an animal-noise ordinance by training her cockatoo to cuss.

The Providence Journal reports that Lynne Taylor is accused in Warwick municipal court of training the bird, Willy, to say expletives.

The bird allegedly aimed the invectives at the neighbors, who happen to be Taylor's ex-husband and his girlfriend.

A municipal judge on Thursday denied Taylor's request to dismiss the case.

The neighbors, Kathleen Melker and Craig Fontaine, say they have been subjected to repeated curses from the bird, at one point for 15 minutes at a time.

The animal noise ordinance imposes a small fine on any pet owner whose animal creates habitual noise.

A judge has issued restraining orders telling both women to have no contact.

------

Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.providencejournal.com