<p>But Angelo Ferlazzo, 50, claims the parrot belongs to him, express.co.uk reported.<br /><br />He said he taught the bird, an African Grey called Coco, to chatter in Italian and whistle the classic song “O Sole Mio” after he bought it from a local pet shop in 1984. When his marriage broke down a few years later, he moved back to his native Italy, leaving Coco with his ex-wife. Four years ago, back in Britain, he visited Pets’ Corner in Harlow Town Park and found Coco was the main attraction. <br /><br />Ferlazzo said the parrot’s rendition of “O Sole Mio” shed any doubts and brought tears to his eyes. “We want to be reunited — that bird should be with a family,” he added. <br /><br />But his pleas to Harlow Council to hand over the bird, even offering to replace him with another African Grey, have failed. <br /><br />The RSPCA, an animal welfare charity, has told the council officials that after nine years at Pets’ Corner, any move would distress the parrot.<br /><br />Ferlazzo’s new partner, Karen Wright, said: “We don’t understand how Coco would be better off in a cage at Pets’ Corner. He’s got to be better off in a loving family home.”<br /><br />Harlow councillor Joel Charles said: “Coco was donated in good faith. He is much-loved, and imitates both staff and animals. We sympathise with Ferlazzo but have to put the animal’s welfare first.”</p>
<p>But Angelo Ferlazzo, 50, claims the parrot belongs to him, express.co.uk reported.<br /><br />He said he taught the bird, an African Grey called Coco, to chatter in Italian and whistle the classic song “O Sole Mio” after he bought it from a local pet shop in 1984. When his marriage broke down a few years later, he moved back to his native Italy, leaving Coco with his ex-wife. Four years ago, back in Britain, he visited Pets’ Corner in Harlow Town Park and found Coco was the main attraction. <br /><br />Ferlazzo said the parrot’s rendition of “O Sole Mio” shed any doubts and brought tears to his eyes. “We want to be reunited — that bird should be with a family,” he added. <br /><br />But his pleas to Harlow Council to hand over the bird, even offering to replace him with another African Grey, have failed. <br /><br />The RSPCA, an animal welfare charity, has told the council officials that after nine years at Pets’ Corner, any move would distress the parrot.<br /><br />Ferlazzo’s new partner, Karen Wright, said: “We don’t understand how Coco would be better off in a cage at Pets’ Corner. He’s got to be better off in a loving family home.”<br /><br />Harlow councillor Joel Charles said: “Coco was donated in good faith. He is much-loved, and imitates both staff and animals. We sympathise with Ferlazzo but have to put the animal’s welfare first.”</p>