A couple risks losing their house because of a seemingly innocuous gesture

Watch out for the ducks! Retired couple from Cypress, Texas risk losing their home just for feeding ducks in his own garden. Rather innocuous and nice gesture in the background, but the neighbors obviously did not see it that way. Indeed, on June 11, George and Kathleen Rowe were hit by a lawsuit $250,000. This after neighbors complained that “ducks were destroying their gardens and defecating on their property”, reports Houston Chronicle.

It was the Lakeland Community Homeowners Association (HOA) that brought this trial against the retired couple. The association affirms in particular that George and Kathleen Rowe have breaks the rules of the community by indulging in “activities that cause unclean, unhealthy or disorderly conditions, which could cause “nuisance” in common areas and which could disturb or destroy vegetation, wildlife, wetlands or air quality”, always depending on the medium.

They have to stop feeding the ducks

The homeowners association asked a court order to get the Rowe family to stop feeding the ducks. “Defendants violate the provisions of the statute by continually and habitually feeding wild animals in the community and in common areas”can we read in legal action. “Specifically, the defendant, Kathleen A. Rowe, repeatedly feeds ducks on the common area despite being advised that such activity is prohibited – and despite agreeing to cease such activity”, always according to the association.

If George and Kathleen Rowe ever lose the case, they will have to pay $250,000 in fees. If ever they can’t afford these fees, then the HOA will try to seize their house. In the face of the HOA’s allegations, the couple denies that their activities caused damage to the neighborhood. Kathleen Rowe’s attorney, Richard Weaver, told Insider that it was the dumbest lawsuit he had ever seen.