The Feathers That Sparked a Dispute: The Parrot Conflict in a NYC Co-op
Published on 16.02.20251,836 views
Long before the cacophony of squawking parrots filled the air, well before legal teams were engaged and stern warnings were exchanged, and years ahead of the Department of Justice declaring the situation a federal case, the Rutherford—a 14-story cooperative nestled in Manhattan's Gramercy Park—was considered a peaceful haven.
Charlotte Kullen, who moved into the building in late 1999 at the age of 26, believed she had finally found her sanctuary. Having dealt with challenging landlords during her time as a renter in the city, securing a small studio apartment on the fifth floor felt like a breath of fresh air.
“I thought, this is it—peace and quiet, no hassles,” she recalled in a recent interview. “It was a solid investment. In a few years, I could settle down, get married, and start a family. Until then, I could personalize my space, paint the walls, and decorate as I pleased.”
Shortly after settling in, Charlotte met her neighbor, Meril Lesser, who had also recently moved in and was pursuing a master's degree in psychology. The two quickly discovered they shared many similarities: both hailed from New Jersey, were around the same age, and had a profound love for their pets. While Charlotte had a cat and eventually two papillon dogs, alongside a horse she kept in New Jersey, Meril was the proud owner of two lively parrots.
Charlotte Kullen, who moved into the building in late 1999 at the age of 26, believed she had finally found her sanctuary. Having dealt with challenging landlords during her time as a renter in the city, securing a small studio apartment on the fifth floor felt like a breath of fresh air.
“I thought, this is it—peace and quiet, no hassles,” she recalled in a recent interview. “It was a solid investment. In a few years, I could settle down, get married, and start a family. Until then, I could personalize my space, paint the walls, and decorate as I pleased.”
Shortly after settling in, Charlotte met her neighbor, Meril Lesser, who had also recently moved in and was pursuing a master's degree in psychology. The two quickly discovered they shared many similarities: both hailed from New Jersey, were around the same age, and had a profound love for their pets. While Charlotte had a cat and eventually two papillon dogs, alongside a horse she kept in New Jersey, Meril was the proud owner of two lively parrots.