A legal battle is under way in the western Greek city of Patras

[CelticKing]

Greek parrot in parking fine row</p>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p>

<font size="2">A legal battle is under way in the western Greek city of Patras over a parrot that is facing a $650 (&pound;320; 444 euros) parking ticket. </font></p>

<font size="2">The local council says his perch is illegally parked and is obstructing drivers because it partially blocks a metered parking space. </font></p>

<font size="2">Coco the parrot's owner, Lambros Michalopoulos, says the bird will die if it has to move back inside. </font></p>

<font size="2">Neither side is backing down so now the dispute is going to the courts. </font></p>

<font size="2">'Sociable creature' </font></p>

<font size="2">With his multi-coloured Amazonian plumage and extrovert personality, Coco has, for 18 years, been something of a mascot in this busy port city, with narrow streets and precious few parking places. </font></p>

<font size="2">His small perch occupies part of a metered zone and under the zero tolerance rules, the local police have ordered Mr Michalopoulos to pay a heavy fine. </font></p>

<font size="2">The pet shop owner says he has ignored the authorities because if Coco goes back inside the store permanently the macaw will die because he is a sociable creature who enjoys being with people. </font></p>

<font size="2">Patras's Deputy Mayor Spiros Demartinos is embarrassed that Coco's plight is attracting international attention. </font></p>

<font size="2">He would prefer to talk about the city's ambitious plans to use parking revenue for funding bicycle lanes and pedestrian zones. </font></p>

<font size="2">"Is it bureaucratic to be concerned about the parrot's safety?" he asks. </font></p>

<font size="2">"The parrot's security is of paramount concern to the council." </font></p>

<font size="2">Both sides are refusing to back down and so the dispute is heading to the palace of justice. </font></p>

<font size="2">Coco's owner is hoping that the case will be laughed out of court. </font></p>

</div></p>

 

[CelticKing]

<font size="2">Coco's parking spot</font></p>

</p>