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Exotic birds, cats confiscated from Spotsylvania County home Date published: 10/16/2007
BY ELLEN BILTZ
Eight exotic birds and eight cats were found abandoned at a home on Gordon Road last week and Spotsylvania County Animal Control is investigating. One of the birds, a blue-and-gold macaw, was found dead in the freezer and the other animals were living in what was considered not "suitable for the living conditions of animals," according to a search warrant issued last week. The warrant says there were several violations, including the condition of the cages, smell of feces and urine and fecal matter on the floors throughout the house. The animals were discovered after the the property owner, who was renting out the property, found the animals were left there by renters, the warrant stated. Animal Control Supervisor Addam Chipps, who is investigating the case, said the 15 animals still alive had health issues. "They all had some respiratory problems," he said. "They're all being kept at the [Spotsylvania] animal shelter." Chipps said no charges have been filed, and that the animals did not belong to the property owner. Chipps said officers had been in contact with a suspect. The only criminal violation the search warrant mentioned was "cruelty to animals." However, the exotic classification of some of the birds could raise questions.
One bird taken, an African Grey Parrot, is currently illegal to transport into the United States based on the Wild Exotic Bird Conservation Act of 1992 and the bird's classification under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, also known as CITES. CITES also has classifications for the other birds found in the house: three macaws, including the dead one; a multi-colored conure; and three white cockatoos. While these birds can be legally brought into the U.S., there are regulations on trading and breeding them. Chipps said he was aware of the classifications, but would not say if the pending charges took them into consideration. No bird licenses are listed in the warrant's items confiscated from the house, but Chipps said they would be looking into licenses for the birds. In addition to the animals, the other items listed were cages, carriers and "droppings" from a cage. Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424Email: ebiltz@freelancestar.com
The owners of the animals were renters. My husband was the person who reported this to animal control, he was a contractor hired to do repairs on the house when they found the animals in that filth.
I highly doubt there were any violations of CITES or the Wild Bird Conservation act involved in this case of animal hoarding and neglect. These birds were most likely bred in captivity and not imported -- legally or illegally. There are frighteningly few regulations in place for the keeping and breeding of parrots in captivity, and I can't think of a single place in the U.S. that requires a license to keep a parrot. Check out www.avianwelfare.org for more info on captive parrot welfare issues.
The fact is that these people are sick and heartless that left these animals in these conditions much less let the conditions get that way. The issues of bird trade over boarders and licensing is really not the issue. You can practically get a exotic bird on any street corner. You do not have to get them from over boarders. If I am correct, licenses are also not required in VA for exotic animals. Don't take in the animals if you are going to neglect them. Lock them up in the same conditions!
If the property owner isnt directly responsible for these cruelties he knows who is? These poor creatures have all been seriously truamatized by inadequate care and enviroment. I hope they track this person down and make an example out of him / her. Virginia is for Lovers and will not tolerate animal cruelty within her boundries!
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