A couple accused of attracting too many animals with their backyard feeder is off the hook.
A judge has dismissed a ticket issued to the New Jersey couple for feeding wildlife in their backyard.
Neighbors had complained that Annette and Alfred Rockefeller were attracting too many animals to their home in Ramsey.
The town's environmental health officer testified Tuesday that he advised Annette it was illegal to place feed on the ground and a wire wreath-style feeder near their deck was not appropriate for birds.
The couple had faced a fine of $250 to $500.
Back in July, the 77-year-old Alfred, who is disabled, said feeding birds is one of his joys.
After the dismissal, Annette told The Record newspaper the case should have been dropped months ago and she's happy “they finally came to their senses.”
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Back in July, town environmental specialist Leo Egan told The Record newspaper the wire wreath-style feeder filled with peanuts is drawing ducks, deer, geese, squirrels, chipmunks and groundhogs to the neighborhood. The animals are damaging neighbors' gardens.
"The animals don't recognize the yard line between one house and another. There was spillover, and other neighbors had damage to their gardens from the animals. They were putting in expensive plantings and getting them decimated," Egan told the paper.
The couple can keep the bird feeder.
