By Gabe Ahmed, Director of Development

We’re asking NYC residents to be vigilant; a demonic duo (and potentially others) are illegally poaching wild pigeons from city parks.

Birds have been disappearing from neighborhood parks, and local pigeon rescuers and activists are noticing. Adding insult to injury, Michael and Joseph Scott, who own Brooklyn pet store Broadway Pigeons & Pet Supplies, stand accused, for the second time, of capturing these innocent, wild birds and selling them for $4-$6 a bird to hunters who will kill them in “flyer shoots”.

Simply put, these are canned hunts for losers who have no concept of doing something constructive with their time.

Buying and selling wild pigeons is against the law, yet the city of New York refuses to take any action, even after receiving a multitude of 311 reports. On the city’s own website, it is clearly stated that trapping pigeons without a permit (only obtainable by a pest control agency) is an “illegal activity that is considered animal abuse”.  

When Michael Scott was accused of these heinous crimes for the first time in 2008, his lawyer conceded that the store sold birds for use at a pigeon-shooting contest in Pennsylvania.

In dystopian scenes caught on video by concerned onlookers, pigeons are netted or bagged by individuals who then take off in unmarked minivans. Some New Yorkers have noticed these criminals acting in the early hours of the day to avoid being caught. One rescuer found a pigeon stuck to a glue trap baited with peanut butter. Thankfully, that bird was saved.

The culprits are travelling far and wide across New York City to illegally kidnap pigeons and smuggle them across state lines; flocks have disappeared from Brooklyn and Central Park to Union Square and Maria Hernandez Park, and potentially others. 

Tina Piña, otherwise known as Mother Pigeon on social media, tirelessly cares for these beloved local birds. She received witness confirmation that 15-20 of the pigeons she cares for were taken. Across social media, NYC residents who advocate for the pigeons are detailing how flocks have recently diminished because of these kidnappings.

Pigeons are vital to New York City’s ecosystem and culture. Seed dispersal and nutrient cycling are just some of the environmental benefits that pigeons bring about. According to the NYC Department of Parks, most NYC pigeons descended from domesticated pigeons that were kept as pets and released thousands of years prior. These birds have walked (and flown) alongside humans for ages. We ought to show them the respect that they deserve. 

There is even a park in Woodside, Queens, named after pigeons—Pigeon Paradise, formerly known as the Isle of the Squab.

Take Action to help pigeons

If you see something, say something. These cruel kidnappers won’t continue to act if they are continuously called out. They keep acting because the city has allowed them to get away with this. They are clearly aware they are doing something wrong and do not want to be caught: this is why they remove their license plates and act using the cover of the early morning.  

Report criminal activity immediately by calling  311. Pigeons are NYC locals and need to be protected. Try to take photos or video of the kidnappers and get a license plate number if possible. Don’t stop calling, reporting and following up. The city of New York must act immediately to stop this illegal activity.

Join the rallies. Mother Pigeon continues to organize protests and vigils, and if you are local to NYC, you can add your voice. The next vigil is Saturday, May 3 at noon at Maria Hernandez Park.

Don’t support hunting. Without a demand for birds to shoot, these sick people wouldn’t be out on the streets trying to make a quick buck off others’ suffering.