News Summary
Activists rallied in Brooklyn to protest allegations that Broadway Pigeon & Pet Supplies is illegally capturing and selling NYC pigeons for hunts in Pennsylvania. Led by animal-rights advocate Tina Piña Trachtenburg, the protest highlighted concerns over animal abuse and the legality of selling pigeons. Tensions rose, necessitating police intervention while store owners defended their practices. The situation underscores ongoing issues related to pigeon poaching in the city and raises questions about animal welfare and ethical standards in business practices.
Brooklyn – A protest erupted outside Broadway Pigeon & Pet Supplies, where activists rallied against allegations that the store’s owners are illegally capturing and selling New York City pigeons to hunters in Pennsylvania. The demonstration was organized by animal-rights activist Tina Piña Trachtenburg, also known as Mother Pigeon, and drew around a dozen pigeon enthusiasts. Tensions flared during the event, necessitating police intervention to maintain order.
The protesters accused store owners Michael and Joey Scott of raiding a flock of pigeons that Trachtenburg feeds at nearby Maria Hernandez Park on April 1 to replenish their inventory. Activists claim that netting pigeons in public spaces, including city parks, contravenes New York City law and constitutes animal abuse. While pigeon shoots are illegal within New York, they remain a legal practice in Pennsylvania, raising concerns about the ethics and legality of New York businesses supplying birds for such hunts.
Michael and Joey Scott maintain that they only breed the pigeons they sell and are not accountable for how buyers use them. Joey Scott likened the sale of pigeons to selling feeder fish or mice for snake food, suggesting that once the birds are sold, their future is beyond their concern. However, a store lawyer previously acknowledged that in 2008, they sold birds to a broker affiliated with a pigeon shooting tournament in Pennsylvania. Additionally, a report by the New York City Bar Association in 2018 highlighted widespread illegal trapping of pigeons from New York for these shooting practices, resulting in significant suffering for the birds.
According to the Scotts, their pigeons retail for about $10 each and serve multiple purposes, such as being used in weddings, training dogs, or even alleged voodoo rituals. They assert that all the pigeons they sell are bred from their rooftop coop and not captured from the streets. Nevertheless, activists argue this stance is misleading, pointing to a lengthy history of pigeon netting in New York City, with complaints documented as far back as 2010.
Recent incidents underline the ongoing problem of poaching in the city. In early April, police apprehended a Pennsylvania man for netting pigeons in Manhattan, reflecting the persistent challenges related to the trapping of these birds. Joey Scott has claimed that many other pet shops are similarly accused of netting pigeons but asserts they have never been caught engaging in such activities.
During the protest, a customer left the store with a box of live pigeons, taunting the activists. This incident amplified concerns among the demonstrators regarding the declining pigeon population in New York City, prompting calls for more vigorous prosecutions of animal abuse cases linked to pigeons. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has stated it prioritizes animal welfare and has prosecuted recent cases related to animal cruelty, though the activists believe that more decisive action is necessary.
This unfolding situation continues to bring attention to the controversial practices surrounding the treatment of pigeons in New York, stirring debate over the ethics of breeding and selling birds in the context of hunting. The outcome of such protests and the legal implications surrounding pigeon sales remain to be seen as community members advocate for stronger protections for these urban birds.
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Additional Resources
- New York Post: Pigeon Costumed Activists Cry Fowl
- New York Times: Who Would Steal New York City’s Pigeons?
- AM New York: Animal Rights Activists React to Pigeon Poaching Arrest
- Wikipedia: Pigeon
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pigeon
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
