Fight over squirrel feeding not nuts

KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) - Take a stroll down Lewiston Road and you can't help but notice the squirrels.

They're everywhere to the point you would think they're being trucked in from somewhere.

"It's terrible," says Don DuBon, who lives on the street. "We have more squirrels per capita in this neighborhood than I think anywhere in the world."

But talk to neighbors here and they'll tell what's attracted all these squirrels to their street, Annick Richardson and her peanuts.

"People don't realize the animals are cold and hungry too," Richardson says. "Yes I feed them."

Feed might be an understatement.

According to neighbors Richardson walks the block tossing out peanuts for the squirrels or putting them in trees or on cars. She even leaves water dishes for them.

The actions may seem harmless, but those we talked with say Richardson's furry friends have become brown menaces, digging up yards and clogging up air conditioners with peanuts.

"It's created damage to people's cars, the squirrels are crawling under hoods chewing apart wires," says Kettering Police Patrolman Michael Burke.

One woman told 2 News she was even forced to move because of the peanuts.

"I said you're going to kill my grandson," says Jayne Schrempp. "She said, 'It can't do that.' I said, oh yes it can."

You see Schrempp's 5-year old grandson has a severe peanut allergy. She says she tried to reason with Richardson and get her to use corn or something else, but she wouldn't do it.

"Food allergies are not to be scoffed at and she pretty much did," Schrempp says.

Police and animal control have warned Richardson about going on other people's properties with her peanuts.

Now she's facing two counts of trespassing.

"We're hoping she realizes what's transpired here and maybe her actions can change in some way," Burke says.

2 News went to Richardson with her neighbors concerns.

She told us she has a few who don't mind her feeding the squirrels, but admitted she has defied those who want her to stop.

"Of course it's a little bit too far, but I know their needs and people don't see because we're busy with our life," Richardson says.

Richardson will be in court Friday on those trespassing charges.