Pigeon Laws

[swetcountrygrl]

Originally Posted by Birdmom4ever

Does the vet's office have a message machine? If so, I would call tonight and leave a calm, authoritative message stating that you have looked into the law and now know that since Myrtle is a non-native Rock Pigeon it is legal for you to keep her. Then I would call the minute they open for business tomorrow morning, too. I'm praying that this ends with the return of your bird. Please do keep us posted. We're all pulling for you.

Well bad news...We called the vet (that took her) and they are demanding that this IS a law and they have released her to a wild bird center and they dont even know how she is doing. (Since the attack) I so dont know where to turn here. I told them that we have a copy of the law about wild birds and that this kinda pigeon was not against the law to keep as a pet. Im sure her whole world has got turned up side down, being attacked by a chicken hawl (hurt), then being taken away from her family. She loved us and we loved her. We would turn her out during the nice warm days and she would be sitting on the TV antenna when we left for work and we get home and she would be standing on the deck waiting to come in when we opened the door she would walk in just like a dog.
It doesnt look like we are going to get our bird back. Im going to call our vet (our dog/cat) in the morning cause she feels really bad that she sent us there and they took Myrtle away...but Im going to call her in the am and she what she says and see if she can help. im kinda a loss for words here.
Maybe this is a Virginia Law......

[horsesgot6]

No I live In VA And I Own Pigeons Of All Kinds Even Ferals. I'll call The Wildlife Center Of VA in The Morning And See What They Say. Your Dog/Cat vet May beable To found Out What Place They Sent Your Bird. And If They Don't Treat or If They Hurt / Put This Bird Down I would Get A Lawyer If I Was You. This Place Was In The Wrong For Taking Your Pigeon.

[Pidgey]

Well, that bird is for all intents and purposes quite domesticated now. The fact is, she'd probably not do too well if released. Tomorrow morning, get a lawyer to call that vet's office and request that they quote chapter and verse on the so-called "law". They shouldn't be able to. At least Myrtle went to some kind of rehabber who might have a brain.

Pidgey

[horsesgot6]

I Would Also Still Print The Law Out And Go By The Alexandria Emergency Service Animal Hospital And Show Them The Law In Preson. You Can Ask them Also What wild bird center They Sent her To. They Should Atleast Beable To Give You That.

[Pidgey]

Here is a link to an actual Virginia law about pigeons:

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/nuisance/

It basically says that they're in no way protected and you can kill them anytime and any way that you want. It doesn't say or imply in any way that you can't keep them, feed them, rescue, rehab or any other thing. The federal laws about the "protected" species are the only ones that say that you can't keep a specific bird without a license. And pigeons don't fall under that law, not Myrtle's type, anyhow.

Pidgey

[horsesgot6]

I'm Not Sure If This Would Help But If Some Of Our Rehabbers Or Pigeon Owners And Breeds Where To Call The Office Or e-mail The Law About Birds. Does Anyone Have Any Thougth On This. I'd Be Happy To call Myself If everyOne Thinks This Could Help Get Her Beloved Pigeon Back.

Here Is The Web Site To The Vet Office That Took The Bird:
www.alexandriaanimalhospital.com

I'm Going Now To See If I can Find rehabbers / Wildlife Places In The Area.

[horsesgot6]

I Just E-mailed Them The Link for The 2 Laws That Where On Here. I Hope You Get Your Bird Back Safe. I Know She Most be Missing You Alot.

[TAWhatley]

This is from a rehabber friend of mine:

I can't get into pigeon talk.
Would you send this to the site?
She should contact either Virginia state fish and game officer, or she can contact the Wildlife Center of Virginia which is in Waynesboro. 540-942-9453.
If someone nice answers, they may be able to call the offending vet office and give them the reality of the situation.
More effective would be a call from the fish and game person. The wildlife center should have a phone number for that person that would avoid calling all over the state offices to find someone to respond.
If this vet office insists that the pigeon is not allowed as a pet, they should also have contacted fish and game, or should have turned over the pigeon to a wildlife center.
If they; tried to do that, they should have been made aware that they were wrong.
What dingbats.

Terry

[horsesgot6]

terry Thanks For the Note From The Rehabber I Plan to Call Over To the Wildlife Center Of VA in The Morning When i get Up I Only Live About 45Min. From Them So My Call Will Be Local. I Was Going To See what They had To Say And See if They Could help Her get her Bird back, I can't belivie Someone Would Take A Nice Looking and Well Taken Care Of Pigeon Away From Someone.

[swetcountrygrl]

Originally Posted by horsesgot6

terry Thanks For the Note From The Rehabber I Plan to Call Over To the Wildlife Center Of VA in The Morning When i get Up I Only Live About 45Min. From Them So My Call Will Be Local. I Was Going To See what They had To Say And See if They Could help Her get her Bird back, I can't belivie Someone Would Take A Nice Looking and Well Taken Care Of Pigeon Away From Someone.

I have called and called and they still insist that there is a law that we can not have her. I just dont know where to go from here. Im just going to go to the vet (Cat/Dog) at 9:00am to she if she can help. Seems they dont even know how shes doing or anything.

[Pidgey]

Call the number in Terry's post:

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showpo...9&postcount=38

Pidgey

[ShelbyG]

Any more updates on the bird? SwetCountryGrl, how old are you?

I'm asking because that may also be helpful if there's someone in the media who might be interested. It's terribly obnoxious that they seized the bird, but you seem fairly young and that's even more repellant that they took your pet.

I took the liberty of forwarding a link to this message board thread to a few local people who may be able to get some more visability on the story.

Please let us know how your calls to the wildlife people go this morning.

Regards,
ShelbyG

[horsesgot6]

I just Got Off The Phone With the Wildlife Center Of VA. They Also insist that there is a law that we can not have her. Call Your Local U.S. Department of Fish & Game They May Be able To Help. I Still Think They Are wrong In What They Did By Taking Your Pet Bird.
You Can Also Phone Some Of The Other Va Wildlife / Rehabbers In Your Area And See What They Have To Say I Called The one In Waynesboro VA.
Keep Us Updated And are You From The VA Beach Area. There Is Afew Other Rehabbers On They Wildlife Center Of Va Website for Each region/Area I'll Go And Get Those Numbers And Post them Here for You.

[swetcountrygrl]

Originally Posted by ShelbyG

Any more updates on the bird? SwetCountryGrl, how old are you?

I'm asking because that may also be helpful if there's someone in the media who might be interested. It's terribly obnoxious that they seized the bird, but you seem fairly young and that's even more repellant that they took your pet.

I took the liberty of forwarding a link to this message board thread to a few local people who may be able to get some more visability on the story.

Please let us know how your calls to the wildlife people go this morning.

Regards,
ShelbyG

No more updates. My mom went to our vet (not the one who took her away) this am and she wasnt in today but one of her assistants was going to call her and tell her what was going on and show her the papers we printed out about the laws. I guess this is a waiting game as of right now.
Im 28 but the bird belonged to me and my parents. My mom is getting ready to call the wildlife people so Ill post and let you guys know how that goes. Im from Culpeper, Va .Thanks everyone for all your help.

Still missing Myrtle....

[horsesgot6]

Ok Here Are Afew Places I think That May Be Near You.

Wildlife Rescue League, P.O. Box 704, Falls Church, VA 22040

703- 391-8625

www.wildliferescueleague.org

Wildlife Response, Inc.
Post Office Box 2904
Chesapeake, Virginia 23327-1687

757-543-7000

www.wildliferesponse.org