Help Put a Stop to the Poisoning of Innocent Birds

Dear Officials,

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge you to act now to stop the poisoning of pigeons with the use of Avitrol.

Pigeons poisoned with Avitrol suffer a long, horrible death at the hands of pest control companies who call their actions “humane”. Intentionally causing an animal to endure this pain and suffering is far from humane.

Avitrol is also known to be toxic to humans and other animals as well.  Pest control companies are unaware that they aren't just killing pigeons, but other animals that may ingest a dead pigeon, such as pet cats and wild birds who are federally protected from poisoning under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Pest control companies claim that the use of Avitrol "scares" other pigeons away and controls the population effectively.  This is untrue.  The pigeons who were lucky enough to not be killed may relocate, however, this just opens up prime real estate for a new flock to move in.  Pest control companies also claim that death from Avitrol is "quick".  This is also untrue.  Death can take up to 15 hours, and in that time, the birds experience immense suffering and pain.  Here is one of those bird's stories:

It’s a breezy spring day , but I’m burning up inside. Why am I so hot? I’m really not feeling well at all and it’s getting worse fast. What is going on? Just 15 minutes ago I was fine. I told my wife I would be right back and stepped out to get dinner. She’s going to be taking care of our two newborn babies all night, so I wanted to make sure I brought home enough food for everyone so no one would go hungry throughout the night. I found a great meal of corn, me and my wife’s favorite, and filled up. I’m just a few minutes from home when the sickness starts. Quickly I go from warm, to burning up from the inside. I start to shake….uncontrollably…then violently….I can’t control myself. My legs freeze. I can no longer walk or even stand. I’m paralyzed, and I’m really panicking now. What is wrong with me?! Before I know it, I’m tumbling, tumbling…right toward a major street. I close my eyes. I know I’m going to be hit by a car. This is it…..

Then suddenly I’m scooped up by a human walking by. Humans usually hate me, but I’m lucky enough to find one of the few that actually care. I should be afraid of her, but instead I just really want her to make me feel better. But I’m still burning up, still shaking violently, I can barely breathe, I can’t even move. I’m in really bad shape. I’m really scared. I just want to get better. I just want to get home to my family. I know I’m so close to home, why can’t I get there?!

I’m in the human’s home now. I’m wrapped in a blanket which is awful since I’m burning up, but at the same time I’m thankful since I can’t control my convulsions, and I know I’m going to break a wing if I’m not contained. It’s been at least 30 minutes since this all started. So many things are going through my head. What is wrong with me? How could I go from healthy to this in just minutes? Am I going to die? Is my wife worried about me? How can I get back home??

An hour has passed and I’m getting worse. The human is trying desperately to help me but she seems just in the dark as I am as to what’s going on. I’m getting weaker and weaker. I’m terrified now. I’m really starting to think I might not make it, and I’m so scared.

It’s been two hours now and I’m still convulsing uncontrollably. My breathing is getting faster and more shallow. I know I can’t hold on much longer. My little heart is giving out. I’ve been suffering for so long. The human is holding me. The last thing I see as my eyes roll back into my head are tears streaming down her face. I can no longer keep my eyes open. I can’t fight anymore. I picture my wife’s beautiful face. We’ve been together 5 years and I can’t believe this is it. The end. I couldn’t even say goodbye. How do I know she will be ok without me? Will she be able to raise our two babies alone? Will she be safe and warm at night with no one to sit by her side? Will she ever have closure, not ever knowing what happened to me? I wish I could see her one more time…but I’m getting weaker….weaker…my breathing is getting slower….I hope none of my friends or family suffer like I’ve suffered. I wish I knew that my family was going to be ok. I wish I knew what happened to me….then….darkness.

Pigeons are friendly, peaceful, non-violent birds who have done the best they can to survive in an oftentimes hostile environment, created mostly by humans. No animal should have to suffer, especially at the hands of other humans. Pest control companies claim that using Avitrol is “humane” and that the birds do not suffer. As you can see from the true story above, these pigeons do indeed suffer many hours of pain, which cannot be ignored. It is inhumane to poison animals for any reason. Pigeons are kind, harmonious birds, and pose little to no risk of disease to humans. However, if need be, there are other, more humane ways to control our avian population. Let us stop animal cruelty against pigeons and other birds. Let us ban the use of Avitrol.

Reference Links:

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/facts/avitrol.html

http://www.peta.org/issues/wildlife/bird-poisons.aspx

http://youtu.be/fr0vptXGQFg

A Better Alternative:

www.ovocontrol.com