BANK of America apologised after its local contractor entered the home of a mortgage borrower when she was away, cut off utilities, padlocked the door and confiscated her pet parrot, Luke.

Angela Iannelli, 46, alleged in a lawsuit that the October incident – which separated her from her 11 – year-old parrot for more than a week – caused so much “emotional distress” that she needed a prescription medication for anxiety.

A Bank of America spokesman said a bank employee erroneously believed the house was vacant and sent the contractor there with instructions to install a new lock and otherwise “secure” the property.

The bank spokesman said those instructions were inappropriate, because Ms Iannelli wasn’t in default and the house wasn’t vacant.
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In her civil suit filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Ms Iannelli said a contractor hired by Bank of America entered her house, north of Pittsburgh, in mid-October when she was away.

According to the suit, in an “invasion” of the home, the contractor stopped utility services, cut water lines and electrical wiring, damaged flooring and finishings, poured anti-freeze into sinks and toilets, and “stole” the parrot.

Ms Iannelli, who owns a diner and works part-time as a bartender, said Bank of America representatives weren’t helpful when she called in to protest.

They first denied knowing where the parrot was, and later told her she could go to the offices of the contractor, about 120km away, to retrieve the bird herself.

Comedy gold. This stuff just writes itself.