INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An Indian River County man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his neighbor for feeding the squirrels Saturday, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Eugene Oates, 57, was arrested after he reportedly attempted to forcibly remove his neighbor from the victim’s home during a disturbance.
The neighbor did not want to talk to Oates because Oates had an issue with him feeding the squirrels peanuts and the squirrels depositing the peanut shells on Oates’ lawn and driveway, according to authorities.
The victim and Oates argued the peanut shell issue through the neighbor’s screen door, according to the Sheriff’s Office. During the argument, Oates reportedly opened the screen door and grabbed the neighbor’s arm and tried to pull him outside.
The neighbor told authorities that he had to grab the door frame to prevent Oates from pulling him outside. Authorities noticed the victim had two scratches, which were attributed to Oates having grabbed him.
Oates faces a charge of battery and has been released from the Indian River County jail on $500 bond.
