Who Is Shooting Birds With Darts? PETA Offers up to $5,000 Reward to Find Culprit

Unknown Assailant(s) Attacking Federally Protected Gulls and Geese

For Immediate Release:
June 19, 2014

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Virginia Beach, Va. –

Just since February, the Virginia Beach SPCA has responded to 10 calls about birds who have been shot through the neck, head, and chest with blow darts. The victims, who have developed infections and sustained damaged organs and other injuries, have included Canada geese, mallards, and herring gulls, among other species who are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and hurting them is a federal crime punishable by up to six months in jail and a $15,000 fine.

Officials have yet to make any arrests. That’s why PETA is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these violent crimes.

“Someone out there—and this person may be a child or a teenager—is hurting animal after animal, leaving them bleeding from darts speared through their wings and chests,” says PETA Director Martin Mersereau. “PETA is urging anyone with information about these federal crimes to come forward now, before another violent act is committed.”

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact PETA at 757-622-PETA (7382).

For more information, please visit PETA.org. To view PETA’s anti-violence public service announcement featuring Inglourious Basterds star and Hostel director Eli Roth, please visit http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/
Prefs.asp?video=eli_roth_violence_link_psa_peta.