Illegal Pigeon Netting in Brooklyn Parks Sparks Animal Cruelty Concerns

Vanishing Pigeons in Brooklyn

• 💔 Animal lovers in Brooklyn are reporting that dozens of pigeons have been vanishing from local parks, leading to growing concerns.
• 🐦 Tina Pena, known as 'Mother Pigeon,' noticed a significant decrease in her flock, which typically numbers around 300 birds.

Allegations of Illegal Netting and Poaching

• 🕵️ Eyewitness accounts describe a van pulling up, a person using a net to capture pigeons after luring them with seed.
• 💰 Concerns are high that these captured pigeons are being sold as live targets for shooting tournaments, particularly in Pennsylvania.
• 📈 This controversial practice is reportedly seasonal, ramping up annually with warmer weather and has been ongoing for decades.

Legality and Enforcement Issues

• 🚫 While owning pigeons in New York City is legal, trapping them in parks or on public property is considered animal abuse.
• 📞 Authorities encourage reporting such behavior via 311, and the NYPD is reportedly investigating the allegations.
• 🗣️ However, some animal advocates express disappointment with the perceived lack of response and enforcement from the animal cruelty unit.

Community Impact and Calls for Protection

• 🏘️ Residents who moved to the area specifically for the park's wildlife feel a strong connection to the pigeons and believe they should be treated with respect.
• ⚖️ There's a call for the city to better protect these creatures, emphasizing that wildlife in public parks should not be taken for sport or profit.