** URGENT ** Pigeon Disaster In So. Cal!

[andinla]

and situation.

Andi

[TAWhatley]

I received this sad news this morning. The person who got in touch with me is trying to verify what happened to all the birds that Red currently had. From what she has been able to find out, the birds were taken by someone who is a landscaper in the area. If anyone here happens to know for sure what happened to the birds, please post back ASAP. If the birds have gone to a good new home, then all is well, but if not, we would like to try to get the birds to the sanctuary in Malibu.

Terry

Torrance's Pigeon Man Dies In House Filled With Birds

Torrance's 'Pigeon Man' dies in house filled with birds
By Larry Altman Staff Writer
Posted: 10/19/2009 07:27:02 PM PDT

A man who was heartbroken four years ago when animal control officials removed hundreds of pigeons - dead and alive - from inside his Torrance home died Monday in another house full of his favorite birds.

Gerald "Red" Enright Jr., 65, died at Torrance Memorial Medical Center a short time after paramedics responded to his home in the 100 block of Paseo de Suenos shortly before 9 a.m., Torrance city spokesman Michael Smith said.

Enright had complained of shortness of breath to a friend, who called 911 after finding him unconscious in the house, Torrance fire Capt. Steve Deuel said.

Firefighters had difficulty getting inside because of hoarding conditions, Smith said.

After treating Enright, firefighters found about 100 pigeons - some loose and others caged - in a rear bedroom. Animal control officers were called, but it was unclear if they removed the birds.

In October 2005, animal control officials removed 340 live and 120 dead pigeons from Enright's home on Via los Altos.

Most of the live birds were euthanized.

Enright said at the time that he had devoted himself to rescuing pigeons from man's ills, including poison and mistreatment. He admitted to operating on some birds, which initially drew the concern of animal control officials.

Nicknamed by friends as the Pigeon Man, Enright said he had treated 1,000 birds.

"These little guys I've gotten to know as little beings," he said at the time.

"Each one has got a personality that's unique."

larry.altman@dailybreeze.com

[KO Loft]

I feel sorry for the man as it was probably a psychological disorder that led to part of the problem. Here in michigan we had a gentleman who tried to save chihuahuas and in the attempt to save them he took in so many he could not take care of them all. The sad thing is the the article saying about the surgeries. Used to know former racing lofts that would stitch up birds if attacked by hawks or other animals. For some there was no way they could get them to a vet. This article seems to state he was a frankenstein for the POP it would bring to the story. Maybe he was not frankenstein but more hawkeye pierce from MASH. A sick man has died and birds are left homeless. No winners only losers. If anything can be done let me know

[Mindy]

I just got through reading the thread for the first time. Was crying over what happened to the birds 4 years ago. Then I come to post #25 and I click Dailybreeze and it shows the article of Red dying Oct 19,2009. I thought I was still reading 2005 so imagine my shock. So sorry about Red and the pigeons. I hope it can be stopped before they kill these other birds that he has collected since 2005. Also, if I can help in anyway, please let me know. mindy

[TAWhatley]

I found out this afternoon that it was our member, Bruce, who went and got the pigeons. Thank you, Bruce! The birds are safe with Bruce, but we will need to be finding a home for them very quickly as Bruce is already overloaded with rescued pigeons. I should have realized that it was Bruce when I first found out a landscaper had taken them in.

My friend, Jane, is already working on arranging for a place for these birds. Hopefully they will be going to the sanctuary in Malibu, but additional enclosures have to be built and great care has to be taken that we don't introduce illness into the Malibu pigeons again .. they have already been through enough.

If it turns out that additional homes have to be found for these birds, I will definitely post that here.

Terry

[george simon]

Originally Posted by Mindy

I just got through reading the thread for the first time. Was crying over what happened to the birds 4 years ago. Then I come to post #25 and I click Dailybreeze and it shows the article of Red dying Oct 19,2009. I thought I was still reading 2005 so imagine my shock. So sorry about Red and the pigeons. I hope it can be stopped before they kill these other birds that he has collected since 2005. Also, if I can help in anyway, please let me know. mindy

Hi MINDY,On my computer I see no post #25 infact your post comes up here on my computer as post#18.Ever since they put in this system I am having problems with some of the longer threads. Has anyone else had problems? ....GEORGE

[Mindy]

George I was referring to number post #25 Terry has a link on there for the Dailybreeze.com/news article and I clicked on that thinking I was going to see the article written back in 2005 and just by coincidence I think, it was the daily breeze article for Oct 19 and it just happened to be on where Red died. So the link must change daily. But when I had been reading about 2005 for several post, I was just caught off guard and then I thought Red had died in 2005, then I realized it was 2009. But I haven't had any problems with long threads, but I will check some out and see if I do. mindy

[Naunnie]

This is really sad. He obviously loved pigeons. I mean no disrespect, but I'd like to think Maggie has a buddy now.

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by Naunnie

This is really sad. He obviously loved pigeons. I mean no disrespect, but I'd like to think Maggie has a buddy now.

You just might be right, and I hope the two of them are trying to help us now in placing and caring for all these pigeons!

Terry

[Ivor]

All these stories are so sad, I can't stop crying, but is a God there, and I'm sure every person that did something to these birds will pay for it, I'm really sorry for what happen to this man, is the first time that I read this thread, unfortunately I can't take any pigeon, but I can offer transportation in North California, I think many of our members didn't read about this, I'll start sending emails to every one, I hope everybody can start helping here.

Ivette

[spirit wings]

"I can't stop crying, but is a God there."

IMO I think so, and now the man can have as many pigeons as he wants, without disease and filth....poor fella,he just could not say no or stop himself, but perhaps they are all together in a better place.

[TAWhatley]

Guys/Gals .. we've got a member here (Bruce) who is now OVERLOADED with birds. We're working on a place for them here in So Cal BUT if anyone would just love to adopt some of these birds .. please don't be shy!

Terry

[spirit wings]

This also is a good reminder why people HAVE to set limits, BEFORE the situation gets desperate.