A British man is stuck with nearly $80,000 in legal costs after a neighbor opposed two gargoyles he installed on his roof, his attorney says.

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Alan Comer, 50, was taken to court over his gargoyles after a neighbor, Mark Goodman, complained they could tumble off the roof of Comer's Teignmouth, England, home, the Daily Mail reported.

While Comer successfully proved in court that the gargoyles were safely secured he is stuck paying half of Goodman's legal costs, plus his own, because he failed to attend mediation prior to his court date.

"These are the most expensive gargoyles I have ever heard of. I'm shocked that you can work to improve your house and do nothing wrong and be landed with an enormous bill like this," the council maintenance officer said.

Goodman's attorney, Joseph Quinn, said his client was also unhappy with the case's outcome.

"If Mr. Comer had agreed to go to mediation I'm sure the costs could have been substantially reduced. It was very upsetting for the parties," Quinn said.