DA wants judge to clarify ruling on seized pet parakeet

YOUNGWOOD, Pa. (AP) — County prosecutors want a judge to clarify a court order that a pet parakeet be returned to a western Pennsylvania woman, even though it is an illegal species that prompted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to seize the bird last year.

Westmoreland County prosecutors told Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE they intend to comply with the order once the judge clarifies it after a hearing on Monday.

The bird's owner, 63-year-old Faith Good, of Youngwood, has pleaded guilty to several citations and paid a $500 fine for keeping an illegal bird.

But County Judge Gary Caruso said the game commission should still return the animal because Good bought it as a family pet two decades ago, not knowing it was an illegal species.

The game commission said the monk parakeet is an agricultural pest if it gets free.

WPXI