North Carolina couple blamed for vulture invasion faces lawsuit from angry town

Couple in North Carolina Faces Legal Action Over Vulture Problem

A couple in North Carolina is under fire from local officials for allegedly attracting large groups of vultures to their home, causing trouble for their neighbors. Town authorities are now taking steps to address the ongoing issue.

The city of Hillsboro has filed a civil petition against residents Kenneth and Linda Ostlund, aiming for a court order to stop their bird-feeding activities. These practices are said to have drawn numerous scavengers to their property, creating chaos in the small community for the past couple of years.

“Honestly, it’s a little creepy,” neighbor Holden Richards remarked. He added that the vultures aren’t just unsightly but also pose physical risks, saying, “They have sharp claws, so they’re not good animals to perch on houses. I’ve seen them tearing tiles off my neighbor’s roof, and my tiles have found their way to my front yard.”

Authorities claim the couple has been leaving food scraps for the vultures, which not only congregate nearby but also leave behind foul-smelling droppings on neighboring properties and vehicles. This has led to substantial property damage and is thought to present a public safety hazard.

The lawsuit, filed in March, mentions the bizarre nature of the situation, noting that a photo showing a swarm of vultures around the couple’s home was included in the court documents. Richards mentioned that it’s likely many neighbors have complained, contributing to the flood of grievances town officials have received since mid-2024.

In response to the allegations, the Ostranders have dismissed the claims and filed a motion to reject the lawsuit. Linda, a wildlife conservationist, believes she is being unfairly targeted, arguing that the vultures were a problem in the area prior to her arrival.

“It’s kind of ridiculous,” Linda said, observing that after the initial complaints, the town revised its local ordinance to limit feeding wildlife to designated feeding stations.

“Without vultures around, you’d hear cries about how the town doesn’t clean up animals struck by cars. Vultures serve as nature’s garbage disposal,” she continued, hinting at their environmental role.

“I’m not sure what more to do. Should I tell the vultures this is a no-feeding zone? I really don’t know,” she added, expressing frustration with the situation.