Vultures take over Fla. couple's yard

KINGSLAND, Fla. - A Florida couple said a flock of about
50 vultures that descended on their yard has grown
accustomed to their pit bulls and refuses to leave. Robert
and Hattie Garrett said the vultures, which began roosting
in trees in their Kingsland yard in January, are difficult
to scare, the (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union reported
Wednesday. "They will fly up in the trees, but it's as far
as they go," Robert Garrett said. "If you didn't know
better, you'd think we have a buzzard ranch." He said his
two pit bulls have given up on trying to chase the birds
away and he has spotted the vultures drinking from the
dogs' water dish. "I guess they got tired of fussing and
fighting with them," he said of the dogs. "It's like the
birds belong there. I guess they got used to the barking."
The couple said they are turning to the National Wildlife
Research Center for advice on how to get rid of the
vultures.