You can legally have fancy and racing pigeons anywhere in the U.S. tell them it is a pure breed racer or a fancy but it wasnt banded so it was given to you... They'll believe you...

 

Hi Swetcountrygrl and welcome to Pigeon-Talk.
Pigeons (unless they are one of the native pigeon species) are not covered by any federal laws as to possession.


The pigeons that most people see in the urban environment are from domesticated stock that were brought into this country hundreds of years ago (these aren't the fancies or other banded pigeons that people raise) and have escaped.

The vet was wrong in taking this bird away from you for the stated reason. Is it possible to reclaim it? Go get her if you can as she is a non-native species and likely as not, the vet service will discover that they will have to euthanize the bird.

Some local ordinances forbid the keeping of pigeons, but that's another issue. Go get your birdie.

Good luck and please tell us how this turns out.

 

Try contacting these people.. Maybe they can help.

http://vpda.tripod.com/VPDA.htm

 

If you cant get your bird back I would call the AU they will usually help with this kind of stuff even if you're not a member.

 

=(





I emailed the owner of vpda. I didnt see a number to call them. But we had told the vet (that took her away) that we found her on vacation and her mom had left her so we brought her home and she became our pet. So how can I now get away with telling them shes a fancy or whatever?

 

This makes me so angry! Pigeons are a non-native species in North America and are not protected by the laws that protect native species. There is no law against you owning or keeping a pigeon! It's outrageous that the vet confiscated your bird. I guess all you can do is tell them that the law is on your side. Good luck.

 

Here is a pic of Myrtle. And as you can see she wasnt kept in a cage and we let her outside all the time. She thought she was a dog...lol
We miss her so much!

 

The only pigeon I know of that you cannot have without a permit is a Band Tail Pigeon. They are native to North America. Any other pigeon breed is legal here. What did your bird look like? Do you have a picture of her that you can post? If she is a Band Tail, then she must go to a rehabber, not be euthanized. If she is any other breed, the vet is totally out of line confiscating your bird.

Margaret

 

What a sweet girl! I sure hope you will be able to get her back. Did the vet indicate he would treat her?

 

I didn't look far enough. She is NOT a Band Tail pigeon. The vet needs to return your little girl. There is nothing illegal about keeping her for a pet.

Margaret

 

Good thinking, Maggie--I didn't even consider the possibility it could be a band-tailed pigeon. But clearly it's a feral, so the vet was way out of line.

 

Well you guys have gave me great hope in calling the vet tomorrow and trying to get her back. What should I tell the vet tomorrow when I call them? I just hope they havent taken her away or put her down.

 

I'm trying to think what agency could help you. I believe the Department of Fish & Game enforces laws concerning wild species, but I don't know that they would be of any help in this situation. They might be able to steer you the law in question, though.

 

Swetcountrygrl, Have you considered sharing your story with the local media? Perhaps the community newspaper? I'd send an email to the editor and some of the reporters, explaining what happened, then follow up with phone calls. Be sure to attach photos of Myrtle (who looks absolutely darling!). I'm really sorry (and ticked off) at what that vet did. For them to take her, without warning, is criminal, imho.

 

Whether they have or haven't, you'd have legal recourse to sue and the threat of that might work in your favor if they haven't.

Pidgey

 

Here's a list of species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the law that protects our native species. I got it from the U.S. Department of Fish & Game. You can see by scrolling down the list that feral pigeons, Columba livia, are not on this list. http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html

Perhaps you can print it out and show the vet. I hope this helps.

 

I'm really distressed to read this. I would be very firm, but nice, to them and let them know they don't know what they are talking about. If they have done anything to Myrtle after you told them it was a pet I would consider taking legal action. Such a shame.


You mentioned you took her first to another vet. Is this one you use often? Perhaps this vet could contact the one who took her from you and explain the situation. First thing though, I would find out what they have done with Myrtle.

 

LOL, I was just thinking that as much as we all would like our ferals to be protected, this is one time it may work in someone's favor that they are not.

 

Tell the organization the truth. Myrtle was abandoned so you adopted her. It would be no different than if you had found a stray cat or dog (kitten or puppy) while on vacation and you adopted it.

You've checked with pigeon experts and they all agree that this is a domestic (if feral) pigeon, aka rock pigeon or rock dove. There is no law against having them.

Good luck.

Myrtle is a total beauty and I'd bet she's got a fair amount of homer in her.

 

Geez, that makes me so darn blasted mad!

The key word you said was PET pigeon.

Most of us here at Pigeon Talk have PET pigeons.

I just hope it is not too late.

Please let us know Monday what is going on.

 

She looks like a checker pigeon...I have three PET checks here.

She resembles my Emily.

 

It makes me mad too.Whoever told you that you couldn't keep her was ill informed. As amazing as it sounds,most people don't know the difference between a starling and a pigeon.
Call early in the morning as soon as they open because the thing you don't want them to do is put her down.
Let us know what happens.

 

I'm so sorry your PET and quite LEGAL pigeon was confiscated. The vet clinic is way, way wrong on this. Try to nicely get your bird back, but if necessary, make them a sincere offer of being royally sued by you for taking your PET bird away. If need be, I can probably get at least one or two state and federally permitted wild bird rehabilitators in Virginia to back up what we are all saying .. there is no way that it is or was illegal for you to have this bird.

Terry

 

How dare they take your bird! I would go back and demand they give her back to me. My vet takes care of pigeons and never questions. Of course he is an angel in disgise. Good luck.

 

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......

 

Hi SwetcountyGrl,

Just wanted to let you know that I really hope you get your bird back safe and sound. I also want to agree with Nicole that you should definitely consider talking with the local media-its a compelling story and might help other people see what great pets pigeons can be. And looks like the local vets could sure use some education in that area!!

Hoping you find Myrtle,

ShelbyG

 

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.