A nasty brew of cross-allegations has engulfed a New York neighborhood where a family that practices a witchcraft religion is at odds with neighbors who complain that the family's penchant for feeding stray cats is attracting rats and pigeons.
Ivy Colmer Vanderborgh and her mother, Marlene Colmer, say their adherence to Wicca made them a target.
People who live near them on Oceanview Avenue in Staten Island's Annadale section dispute that. They maintain their concern is that food left out for cats has brought scavenger critters to the neighborhood.
"It's a situation whereby one neighbor's actions or behaviors are clearly aggravating other people on the block. However, it does not appear that these behaviors are in violation of the law, nor does it appear that the religious practices of the family have anything to do with the neighbors' frustrations with the family," said Capt. Richard F. Gutch, commander of the 123rd Precinct.
clipped from: www.chron.com