A Rhode Island woman is being accused in court of teaching her pet cockatoo to swear at her ex-husband's new girlfriend, the Providence Journal reports.

In court documents, the newspaper says, Kathleen Melker, of Warwick, R.I., claims she was within earshot of Willy, the neighbor's cockatoo, when the pet repeatedly called her "whore."

Melker also alleges that the neighbor, Lynne Taylor, has thrown rocks over the fence and threatened to drown Melker's cat in what the Journal calls a year-long, acrimonious dispute.

Taylor -- and Willy -- are now being accused of violating the city's animal-noise ordinance.

A judge has denied a bid by Taylor's lawyer to dismiss the case by arguing that ordinance is vague and unconstitutional, the newspaper says.

USA Today