Save the Parrots of Troy, Ohio

Dear Governor John R.Kasich and Mayor Michael Beamish:

We the undersigned ask you to intervene in a horrific situation regarding a number of privately-owned parrots in Troy, Ohio.  The owner of the birds, Mr. Doug Ratcliffe, claims to have begun collecting parrots to use for breeding.  Over time the situation spiraled into chaos, and the parrots are in extremely dangerous conditions.

The Miami Valley Bird Rescue learned that there were approximately 90 parrots living in Mr. Ratcliffe’s home, in squalid and dangerous conditions. The group was permitted to enter the home and take pictures. Thirty of the parrots had already died.  They found that the birds had been left to fend for themselves without food or water. They were  loose in the house, trapped in the walls and trapped in cages, and in desperation had begun eating the walls, furnishings, etc…. Some are living on top of heaters and have burns. Water in bowls is not drinkable, as it is contaminated with droppings, algae and toxins. Many of the birds have untreated lesions. There is excrement on all surfaces. They are eating extremely toxic materials such as paint and drywall. The fumes from bird droppings, chemicals and rotting materials are damaging  their respiratory systems.  This is sheer torture for these magnificent and delicate creatures!

Mr. Ratcliffe signed a release allowing the bird rescue group to take the birds for veterinary care. They immediately took 10 of the sickest birds to Dayton South Veterinary Clinic, where Dr. Daniel Brauer is caring for them. However, Mr. Ratcliffe now insists that he gave the bird rescue permission only to do blood work, and not to keep his birds. He claims that they stole the birds, and he wants them back. He is refusing to release any of the remaining birds to obtain veterinary care. Mr. Ratcliffe has obtained legal representation in order to keep the local Humane Society or the bird rescue group from intervening on behalf of the birds. 

This situation is extremely urgent.  The local Humane Society has given Mr. Ratcliffe 2 weeks to clean up the house and care for the birds.  One look at the photographs shows that there is no way to clean the house and restore it to a safe condition, certainly not within 2 weeks. In an interview with WHIO tv, Dr. Brauer said if the remaining 50 birds are left in the home, “They’re going to die.”

We urge you to intervene on behalf of these parrots so that they can obtain proper and timely veterinary care and be housed in safe and humane conditions.

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter. 

Sincerely,