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 The lawsuit accuses the girl's parents of running a large-scale
feeding operation in their backyard that draws dozens of crows,
seagulls and pigeons.
"Large numbers of birds swarm the feeding operation daily, leaving
behind dirt, feathers, peanut particles and shells, feces and urine
on the surrounding properties," stated the lawsuit, which was filed
on Monday in King County court.
The lawsuit also said the feeding troughs are filled up to six times
a day, with individuals believed to be employees of the parents
taking part, and that it has attracted rats.
The BBC in February reported on 8-year-old Gabi Mann and the many
objects, such as a silver ball, brown glass, a button and a Lego
piece, that she collected from crows she fed in her garden.
Gabi's mother, Lisa, told the BBC at the time that her daughter's
interests in the birds led the family to begin feeding them as a
daily ritual in 2013.
"My clients aren't suing an 8-year-old girl, the person who's really
doing most of the feeding is Lisa Mann," said Anna Johnsen, the
attorney for the neighbors who filed the lawsuit.
The Manns did not return a call seeking comment on the lawsuit, and
it was unclear if they had obtained an attorney.
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The neighbors' lawsuit seeks damages of $200,000 for, among other
things, their cleaning costs and damage to gutters and drainpipes
from bird feces and the shells of peanuts left out for the animals.
The lawsuit also seeks a court-order to end the feedings.
(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Sandra
Maler)
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