A Liverpool woman who has rescued over 1,000 birds from her terraced home is locked in a bitter dispute with neighbours who claim the animals are making their lives "hell."
Elizabeth Mooney, 40, keeps up to 20 birds in her West Derby garden as part of her rehabilitation efforts spanning six years.
But residents say the pigeons and seagulls are causing chaos, with one neighbour lamenting: "The summer is a complete nightmare, and you can forget about barbecues or anything like that."
The birds reportedly snatch food from residents' hands and defecate on those trying to enjoy their gardens, reports MailOnline.
Liverpool Town Hall
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Liverpool City Council has taken action against Mooney, issuing her with a Public Protection Order over concerns about vermin and public health risks.
The order bans her from rescuing more birds in the Liverpool area and prohibits her from advertising her services on her 11,500-member Facebook group, 'Liverpool, Merseyside Bird Rehabilitation & Advice'.
Mooney must also stop feeding wild birds and release all seagulls and pigeons currently in her possession.
"It feels like everyone's against me," Mooney told MailOnline. "I just feel like selling up and going."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Pigeons fly above a mist covered lake in Sefton Park, Liverpool (file pic)
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She claims the council has encouraged neighbours to report her to the RSPCA. Neighbours have painted a grim picture of life alongside the bird sanctuary.
Charles Wilkinson, 83, who lives next door, described years of misery. "I have suffered over recent years. She has seagulls, pigeons and ducks too. And the smell and the noise - they are going all night long."
A young mother nearby, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It's been pure hell to be honest. The back gardens are infested with rats now. I can't let my little boy play out in the garden anymore."
"There are people turning up at her house delivering birds and feed all day long," another resident claimed.
Mooney defends her operation, stating she provides quick intake and release of injured birds to save them from euthanasia. With veterinary bills reaching £1,000 and a required £350 survey on her aviaries, she fears being forced to close.
"I can't walk past an injured animal on the street and not pick it up," she said. "People rely on me to pick them up. If I can't do that, they're going to get left on the street to die."
She claims the conflict began three years ago when a neighbour started photographing her rescue activities. "I've never caused any problem," Mooney insists. "I feel ostracised."
Wilkinson, whose home is a shrine to Liverpool FC, revealed the birds attempt to invade his property.
"If you leave a window open they will try and get in. I think she lets them fly in and out of her house," said the pensioner, who lost his wife two years ago.
GB News has approached Liverpool City Council and the RSPCA for a comment.
