Earlier in the week, I became aware of 4 rare and fancy Pigeons that had been confiscated at the US/Canadian border by US Border Police. Apparently a couple of folks were trying to smuggle them into the US. The pigeons had been wrapped with tape so they couldn't move and then put in coat pockets.
Yesterday an urgent plea was made that the birds needed homes or they would be euthanized which was when I became involved. I spent hours making calls, getting the run around and trying to find out how I could help. I was refereed to the USDA which turned out to be the wrong agency to talk to about the situation. The return call came from the USDA after the birds had been euthanized.
It is policy of US Border Patrol/Homeland Security to put down any animal/bird that an attempt has been made to smuggle into the US. It matters not whether the animal is healthy. The animal is punished for the deed of some idiot too cheep to pay the $78. fee.
I'm telling you all this because I'm hoping that if you know about it and believe it is bad policy, you will take action and let your US Senator know how you feel.

omg that is horrible those poor birds,and what happend to the jerks did they just get a fine,those birds had to die for no reason other then some stupid idiot : (

What people will do for money! I will make a fuss from Texas over that! Thanks!

Isn't it just awful. I feel so bad for those poor birds. I sure hope the people were fined trying to smuggle the birds in. I can't see why the border can't call the nearest animal shelter. I guess we need to speak out to make changes to the laws.