Hundreds of Pigeons Taken from Nassau County Home

NORTH MERRICK, NY — A North Merrick home filled with nearly 350 pigeons was condemned by the town as Nassau County SPCA workers tried to safely remove all of the birds.

"It's a horrible situation," said Gary Rogers, the spokesman for the county SPCA.

According to Rogers, the SPCA has removed 340 pigeons from the home and is working on taking out the last few. The pigeons are free-flying and need to be caught before they can be removed. One SPCA worker was injured when he fell into the basement of the home and suffered cuts to his head. He was taken to Nassau University Medical Center and is doing fine.

There was up to two feet of bird droppings and seed shells in some parts of the home, Rogers said, forcing the SPCA workers to wear hazmat suits and respirators to get the birds.

The owner of the home, located on Abbott Avenue in North Merrick, was also taken to NUMC for evaluation.

"[Situations like this have] happened over the years," Rogers said. "I guess he was a hoarder of pigeons."

According to Rogers, some of the birds were in good health and others were suffering from neurological issues. Others were still hatchlings.

The investigation was sparked by neighbors' complaints to the Town of Hempstead about the property.

"We’re asking the community that knows of anyone who’s over their head in animals, to call the SPCA," Rogers said. "The animals can’t make the call, and your neighbor needs help."

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