JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Murray Hill neighborhood is showing support for a blue and gold macaw named Teal living in their neighborhood.
Teal's owners, Danielle and Juan Jimenez are concerned for his safety after they say someone has called the police to their home multiple times, stole the ring doorbell from their home, and started a petition hoping to get rid of the bird.
"The neighbors are saying it's a quality-of-life issue that we should not have our macaw on our porch," Teal's owner Danielle Jimenez said.
Jimenez says Teal spends most of the day outside perched on her cage, but comes into the house at night.
"She enjoys being outside. She loves being outside," Jimenez said. "She might scream occasionally but it's not prolonged and it's not disruptive to the people that live closely to us."
Jimenez says they don't know who is making the complaints or if the doorbell theft is connected to the 911 calls or petition. She says those living around Teal say they like having her in the neighborhood.
"I love Teal," neighbor Mary Alice Groves said. "It just brought joy of seeing the bird as we pass by. We're meeting people now because people are getting to know each other through standing up for Teal."
Jimenez says she appreciates the support but responded to the anonymous complaints with a letter, saying, "Our parrot will continue to live her life at our house with ample time on our covered porch to enjoy the sunshine. You are welcome to invite the city's environmental quality officer over to your house and ask him to bring the decibel meter," Jimenez wrote.
"I fear for my bird. I'm not worried about me. I'm worried that somebody is going to do something stupid to her," Jimenez said. "Please don't hurt our bird. We love her a lot and we're glad to have this opportunity to bring some light to exotic animals in the city."
On December 30, the Jimenezes are having a "Meet Teal Day" at 4651 Astral Street from 11:00am-1:00pm where the community can interact with Teal.