Cruelty case - need help in Somerville, MA

[rewerbe]

We've had endless snow for a week. I went to give the birds at the Transit stop some food, and noticed one pigeon with a dart protruding out from both sides of his neck!

I called our local Animal Rescue league and they will come pick it up if I can catch it. How do I catch this poor animal without hurting it further? Is there anyone in the Boston area who can help me do this? I have a carrier and bird net.

When I stopped by this evening (12 hours later), the pigeon was still there in the 0 degree cold, with that dart sticking out of his neck.

[TAWhatley]

Try to lure the bird close to you with food and then get it .. by hand or with your net. What kind of net do you have?

One of the most effective ways to get an injured/sick bird is to put lots and lots of food down around the bird so it gets "mobbed" .. then "sneak" into the mob and nab the bird.

Sounds like this poor bird really, really needs to get caught. I will cross post to some other lists, so expect some e-mail from folks you probably don't know.

Terry

[rewerbe]

I have a "large bird-net" I purchased from PetSmart for another pigeon I am helping in my home.

I went to the station today armed with food and the net, but no carrier or box. I went to his usual spot and there he was. He seems chipper despite it all. I went to find a box and when I returned I didn't see him, although some other pigeons had gathered. Nearby I sat on what was left of a snow-covered bench and dumped a lot of food at my feet. None of the birds came! I waited a bit, and then I had to go to work. Hopefully I can try again over the weekend, and maybe find some help. I posted an ad for help on craigslist.org and got a few responses. thanks for your advice, I will be practicing it.

[TAWhatley]

I assume what you have is the large size of an aviary net .. very fine mesh in the net and about a three foot handle .. yes? If so, that works fairly well for small birds like pigeons and is not too obtrusive. A long handled pole net made for fishing will scare all of the birds away.

Keep trying for the next couple of days, and I'll bet you get this bird, and will probably get it by hand. The "mobbing" technique really works well .. they are so busy trying to get their "share" of the food that you can just reach down and get the needy bird.

Bless you for caring and trying and also for seeking help locally. Please keep us posted.

Terry

[rewerbe]

Yes, the net is fine mesh with a 3 foot pole.

I tried again today to catch "Davis" the impaled bird.

Unfortunately, people are dumping piles of crappy food (stale bread etc) for the birds in the corner near where the transit birds pirch, so they tend to not be hungry all the time. There is a huge mess there and you just know people are aggravated with the "pigeon mess."

I located Davis in his usual spot behind the transit station. He was eating with others some white rice someone had added to the pile of crap food. I sat on the nearby bench, threw out seed, and every single nearby pigeon came to eat but him!!!!! This went on for 15 minutes. He and I just sat and stared at each other. I did notice he seemed annoyed with the dart.

It was as if he knew what was up and didn't want to be helped?

[phyll]

Thank you for caring about this poor pigeon.

Do you know if the Animal Rescue League will treat & release this pigeon? PLEASE inquire before turning him/her over to them. Although the word "rescue" is used in their title, it doesn't necessarily mean they will even give him a chance at recovery.
Their policy may be to immediately euthanize injured creatures ~ ESPECIALLY PIGEONS. Please keep this mind. Thank you.

Phyll

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Rewerbe,

"Davis" is injured and very wary now to get into further danger so it's going to be hard to capture him. All you can do now is keep trying. Good luck.

[Lin Hansen]

Rewerbe,

Phyll is right....so I have copied and pasted the information I had provided to you in your "Injured Wing" thread:

You may want to check out this place...it is in N. Grafton, MA (exit 11 off MA turnpike). It is the Wildlife Clinic at Tufts University, phone #598 839 7918. Their hours are 8-5 monday through friday, 9-12 saturday and sunday. Here is the link:
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/wildlife/service.html

My sister in law is a veterinary student at Tufts and did a rotation there and said many people bring in injured animals and birds and that they are pigeon friendly and do not euthanize unless it is a hopeless case. She also said the head doctor has many connections with people who do rehab in the area, so you may want to check this out.


This place is on the up and up...have spoken to my sister-in-law who has personal experience with the place....do not think it is too far from you, so it may be a better bet, if you manage to catch Davis......sigh...I know what you mean about trying to catch Davis. Sometimes the ones that need the help the most are hardest to catch...don't you wish you could somehow "talk" to them so they would know not to be afraid?...wishful thinking..sigh.
Good luck,
Linda

[Keys & Eyegone]

When you do catch "Davis" DO NOT pull the dart out. This may sound stupid but DON'T!! It is possible that s/he could bleed to death. It's hard to explain why but trust me.
Good Luck and Don't give up.
Hilary Dawn

[Pete Jasinski]

The only positive sign is it's been 3 days and the pidgie is not dead from the injury! It looks like the dart missed his spine, arteries and other vital organs or he would have died by now.
What type of dart is it? is it the thin needle type from a blowgun?
Hopefully you'll nab him and get him the help he so desperately needs.

[rewerbe]

Hi all, thanks so much for your help. The dart is a thin kind. I have been checking on Davis on my way to/from work. This morning all the other birds were peacefully eating under some nearby pine trees, and he alone remained on the ledge. Don't know what to do, I'll just keep checking, praying and trying.

Lin thanks for your link. Although I live right near Tufts U, their clinic is far away and I don't have a car. However, If I do end up catching him and they can help, I will rent a car to bring him there.

After all this, I will be sure that whatever happens to him he will not be euthanized. I will pay for the treatment, and I will not turn him over to anyone until I have absolute assurance of his safety.

[Pete Jasinski]

Thanks for the update. I wish you could catch him and remove that darn dart it's probably uncomfortable as heck. If he survived this long it's probably more of a nuisance then a threat unless the wound gets infected. Keep us updated when you can.

[phyll]

It's good that you are keeping an eye on Davis. You are a kind & caring person for trying to help. Thank you for wanting to protect his life. I hope you have better luck & will be successful at catching him soon.

Phyll

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by Keys & Eyegone

When you do catch "Davis" DO NOT pull the dart out. This may sound stupid but DON'T!! It is possible that s/he could bleed to death. It's hard to explain why but trust me.
Good Luck and Don't give up.
Hilary Dawn

Actually it doesn't sound stupid at all. In many cases, the item that has been impaled into the body acts as a plug. Given the right circumstance, if the item were just to be removed, the 'plug' would be released & uncontrollable bleeding could occur.

Cindy

[Keys & Eyegone]

Yup that was what I was talking about.
My sister is studing nursing and sometimes I read her books and I whach a lot ER type shows. So I leaned that. And, from reading the books, I learned to it just wont bleed, but with the correct pressure the animal can bleed "to death!!!"
So be careful when pull anything out of any animal.

Hilary Dawn

PS- I PASSED ALL MY EXAMS. I'M SOOOO HAPPY!!!