Animal cruelty charges filed after pigeons poisoned in downtown Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Four people are facing charges after 10 pigeons were found convulsing on the ground near the Frick Building in downtown Pittsburgh in November.

An investigation revealed they ingested a chemical used by some bird control companies. In Pittsburgh, it’s illegal.

“Animal neglect and abuse in Pittsburgh will not be tolerated,” Pittsburgh police Officer Christine Luffey said.

Pittsburgh police and the Department of Agriculture said the company that manages the Frick Building hired Bird Control Services out of Reading, Pennsylvania, to help with pigeon issues.

Bird Control Services left out corn laced with Avitrol, the investigation determined. It’s an FDA-approved product, but in March 2020, a law passed in the city of Pittsburgh made it illegal to harm wild birds like pigeons.

An employee with Bird Control Services said they didn’t know about the new ordinance, but as soon as they learned about it, they stopped.

“I want people to understand that killing is not the answer. There are deterrents that can be used to prevent any problems that pigeons or any birds or other animals may present,” Luffey said.

Police and Humane Action Pittsburgh want to educate people about nonlethal ways to deter birds from roosting on properties. Some of those alternatives include bird slides, bird wires and bird spikes.

Two people with Bird Control Services, as well as two managers of the Frick Building, are facing animal cruelty charges.

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