A GOOD Samaritan has become involved in a legal dispute after launching a search for the owner of a lost cockateel.

Brenda Mckinnell, of Knight Road, Burtonwood, took the frightened bird under her wing after finding it flying around her garden two weeks ago.

Brenda said: "I was determined to find his rightful owner because someone really must have been missing him.

"I couldn't have left the cockateel alone in the garden because eventually it would have died. I have my own cockateel so I know how to look after them and within a few days he'd really perked up."

Brenda was inundated with calls about the bird after she appealed in the GUARDIAN for its owner to come forward.

"I couldn't believe how many people called. I must have had at least a dozen people claiming they had lost a cockateel."

But one woman insisted the bird was hers and when Brenda refused to hand him over she was threatened with legal action.

"I was absolutely terrified when a solicitor's letter turned up demanding the return of the bird. I couldn't believe that after trying to do the right thing someone wants to take me to court.

"I want the bird to be returned to its rightful owner. But this woman failed to tell me his name and failed to describe this unusual and distinctive habit he has," she said.

But Derek Forest, of Solicitors Direct, in Leyland, says his client is adamant the bird is hers.

He said: "I can't imagine there are many lost cockateels flying around Warrington. My client was in gales of tears when she described the situation to me.

"She feels she has gone through all the right procedures - reporting the loss to the police and advertising in the lost and founds. She just wants her bird back and she feels Mrs Mckinnell has it."

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