It’s been exactly one year since Friends of Animals began to monitor and act upon a dire issue that has been plaguing New York City. We’re talking about pigeon poaching.

We took a major step toward progress last year, when Dwayne Daley of Bushkill, PA, was arrested for animal cruelty charges amidst one of his pigeon-napping operations in Tompkins Square Park. He was likely trafficking birds to Pennsylvania for canned hunts, designed for the most devitalized and obscene males on planet earth.

Thanks to our efforts coordinated with local rescuers and flock feeders, a concerned citizen sounded the alarm to/with NYPD, helping to catalyze Daley’s arrest and subsequent legal charges.

Since then, we’ve encouraged our numerous NYC members, as well as any concerned citizen, to similarly sound the alarm if they witness any suspicious (or flagrantly foul) activity that may harm our precious native New York birds.

Unfortunately, Daley’s arrest did not signal a cease and desist for other poachers. 

We’ve received heartbreaking, firsthand reports from pigeon feeders who traverse the city with one mission: to feed flocks, care for individual birds, and advocate for these precious native doves. These local reports have detailed how the most prominent, active feeders are encountering bleak results as they attempt to care for our beloved birds.

One on the UWS said this month:

“I’m so sick to my stomach. I feel like this is the most birds they’ve ever stolen, ever. I’ve called the police. This needs more attention. They’re gonna just keep coming”.

It’s sickening indeed.

We all know that people can and should do better by birds but unfortunately don’t. There will always be a Dwayne Daley looking to load up his truck with pigeons-for-profit, without a care in the world about their unique, individual lives.

That’s where we must step in. If you see a Dwayne Daley, call 911. Skip 311. A life is a life, and saving a life is urgent. NYPD has proven that they will stand up for our sacred, treasured wildlife – it’s up to you to be vigilant, monitor, and report exploitative behavior toward animals. They’ll take care of the (ar)rest. 

You are well within your rights to call 911 if you witness animal cruelty on the streets of New York, and we’d argue it’s a moral imperative that you do so if you find yourself a bystander of these cruel, unfortunate instances/circumstances.

If you don’t speak up or act for the animal you see in need, no one else will.