by Pigeon Patrol | Oct 8, 2015 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes, UltraSonic Bird Control
HARRISBURG >> Guns were a hot topic Wednesday in the Pennsylvania Senate, which voted to back a ban on pigeon shoots and in favor of a bill to give groups like the National Rifle Association legal standing to sue municipalities over local gun laws.
Senators favored outlawing pigeon shoots by a 3-1 margin and sent the measure back to the House for consideration.
The shoots, which involve launching the birds from spring-loaded boxes to be shot at close range, were derided by some senators who called it inhumane and a throwback to “another age.” Violators of the proposed law would face a summary charge of cruelty to animals.
Sen. Richard Alloway II, R-Chambersburg, an avid outdoorsman and an A-rated NRA lifetime member, voted with the majority.
“I have a deep admiration for our traditions and that includes a respect for the game we pursue, as we participate in these pastimes,” Alloway said. “This is in no way a slippery slope toward eliminating legitimate hunting opportunities, but rather a personal decision I have made regarding this individual activity. To me, hunting is about sport, and there is no sport in violating the fair-chase laws that we hold in such high esteem in the Commonwealth.”
“There is no appropriate way to do a pigeon shoot,” said Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, leader of the Democratic minority.
Sen. John Eichelberger, R-Hollidaysburg, voted not to outlaw the shoots. The Senate earlier voted down his proposed amendment to make trapping or poisoning pigeons a summary offense.
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Sen. Mike Brubaker, R-Lancaster, proposed a compromise amendment placing the shoots under the supervision of the Pennsylvania Game Commission but it was rejected by 33-15 vote.
Alloway also voted with the majority to allow “membership organizations” to stand in for any Pennsylvania member who is “adversely affected” by local gun-control ordinances.
The measure was portrayed by proponents as a simple clarification of existing laws. The amendment to a separate bill was approved by a 2-1 margin and sent to the House for additional action.
“We’re not doing anything drastic here, this is just good common sense,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson.
“At least 50 individual municipalities have enacted their own firearms ordinances that are more prohibitive than those set by the Commonwealth, and therefore in violation of the Pennsylvania Constitution,” Alloway said. “The unfortunate reality is that a person — who is abiding by state law, but is in breach of a municipal ordinance — has no way to recover damages they have incurred as a result of their legal battle, a legal battle they should not have had to fight in the first place.”
Eichelberger, who represents western Franklin County, also voted in favor of the measure.
Opponents, particularly senators from the Philadelphia area, which is plagued by gun violence, said the proposal gives special license to the NRA to push its agenda in Pennsylvania courts at the expense of local taxpayers.
“This is a mess!” said Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Philadelphia.
Wednesday was supposed to have been the last session day before a new Legislature is elected on Nov. 4, but both houses added a day to their calendars. The Senate reconvenes Thursday and the House on Monday.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Oct 7, 2015 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, UltraSonic Bird Control
In the span of a few weeks, Erica Richards has been transformed from a vibrant 23-year-old woman who loved nature to a person battling for her life.
In early January, the Fredericton woman contracted a potentially fatal condition called cryptococcal meningitis, a fungal disease carried in the feces of pigeons.
The debilitating illness attacks the spine and brain, causing severe swelling. It left her confined to a hospital bed in a state of delirium for weeks.
But the most devastating side effect is that Ms. Richards is now blind.
“Be aware of this disease. It could kill a child in a heartbeat,” Ms. Richards said in an interview from her hospital bed.
“It could kill a senior in a heartbeat without you even having to worry about the symptoms. It comes on that fast. If you don’t realize the symptoms, it could kill you, too.”
Her emotional warning comes on the heels of city council’s approval earlier this month of a recommendation that it toughen its animal control bylaw to allow for fines for feeding pigeons. Once the amendment is drafted and declared law, it will give the city’s bylaw enforcement officers the power to ticket and fine offenders.
Ms. Richards said she decided to go public about her illness after learning about a recent newspaper story about a problem with pigeon poop in the city.
“Please don’t feed the pigeons,” she said. “Try to shoo them away if you see them. … It (the disease) is horrible. The pain that you get from this disease is crippling.
“The after-effects are with you for life and you just can’t stop thinking about it. I just want other people to know and try to stay away from pigeons.”
Oddly enough, Ms. Richards said she has no recollection of ever being anywhere near pigeons.
“I am still wondering to this day where I got it,” she said. “I could have stepped in it and brought it into the home. I just don’t know.”
Ms. Richards said the symptoms started with a migraine headache that wouldn’t go away. She was admitted to hospital on Feb. 10 after many days of intense head pain. Shortly after, she went into a coma-like state.
“When I woke up I thought I had a mask over my eyes, but I was wrong. I was blind. I was recently told that I will be blind for the rest of my life. This is a tough thing for a 23-year-old to go through. … My world crumbled around me.”
Ms. Richards said the odds of surviving the disease are 50-50.
“However, I managed to make it through,” she said, battling tears. “I don’t know how but I am still here, and I am glad because I get to warn everyone else of this.”
Cristin Muecke, the Health Department’s regional medical officer, confirmed the disease is often associated with pigeon droppings. She said the illness can’t be spread person to person and is more common with someone who has immune problems.
Ms. Richards, however, said she has never had a problem with her immune system and that’s what’s so puzzling about contracting the affliction.
“I do not want anyone else to suffer this agonizing disease and I ask anyone who is feeding pigeons to stop,” she said. “It’s not just a matter of keeping your neighbourhood clean … it’s a matter of keeping people healthy.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Oct 6, 2015 | Bird Netting, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News, UltraSonic Bird Control
TORONTO, ON–(Marketwired – October 21, 2014) – The Scarborough Civic Centre, unique for its juxtaposition of two triangular shaped, multiple split level towers, which surround an open central area in the interior, was designed by architect Raymond Moriyama and officially opened in 1973 by Queen Elizabeth. Today, the five-story east tower holds municipal offices for Toronto’s East District, while the four-story west tower now houses offices of the Toronto District School Board.
Sadly, like most buildings where glass is showcased, the Centre has experienced a very high level of bird collisions with its windows. When a new library wing addition with a myriad of glass surfaces was planned at the Centre, an effort was led to solve the problem by Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker. Councillor De Baeremaeker first had the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada conduct a BirdSafe® risk assessment of the building to help identify the most lethal facades for bird-window collisions. City funding was then allotted to support a retrofit solution that conformed with Bird Friendly Development Guidelines outlined in Toronto’s Green Development Standard (2007); city-wide legislation that Councillor De Baeremaeker was also instrumental in introducing.
The application of Feather Friendly Technologies® window film by Convenience Group Inc. to nearby Consilium Place and now to the Scarborough Civic Centre is resulting in a substantial reduction of bird collisions at both complexes. Light gray dots applied with the desirable 2″x 2″ spacing to the exterior surface of glass is the configuration which has proven to be effective.
Architectural design contributors to the project were Jane Burgess and Ashley Stewart of Stevens Burgess Architects Ltd. (SBA), an award winning multi-disciplinary architectural firm providing value-added expertise in conservation, interior sustainable design and urban design. The project was managed by Colonial Building Restoration.
Convenience Group Inc. has provided Window Film Solutions to a wide range of commercial and residential customers in the Greater Toronto Area for over 40 years. As a master distributor, and authorized dealer of 3M window film, Convenience Group is able to offer leading-edge products, highly experienced consulting, superior design and expert installation. The company specializes in working with interior designers and architects who use Decorative Film and Architectural Finishes as part of their designs. For more information about Feather Friendly® Bird Collision Deterrent Technology visit www.featherfriendly.com Convenience Group can also provide true multi-location project management across Canada through their national dealer network Window Film Canada www.windowfilmcanada.ca. Visit CGI at www.conveniencegroup.com or contact 1-888-835-5885.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Oct 5, 2015 | Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
THATCHAM Town Council has deployed boots on the ground to investigate the latest pigeon menace said to be plaguing the High Street.
Last year the town council discussed plans to deal with the birds – and their droppings – even debating the possibility of culling the winged menace at one stage.
But following research by town council officers, it was decided to try and reduce the amount of food spillages and litter to cut down on pigeon numbers.
The strategy also included a review of bins and investigating nesting in buildings.
But the issue came home to roost again at a finance and general purposes meeting last week when an unhappy resident wrote in saying: “The High Street is filthy with pigeon droppings and feathers. They need to be culled/disposed of!!!
“We, as have others, tried different measures to deter the birds and not been successful. We have spikes as our deterrent and this has not worked. Our gutters keep getting blocked up with bird droppings and when we get rain makes them overflow.
“We clean them on a more than regular basis at our own cost. No sooner is it cleared than it is blocked again. This really isn’t acceptable it’s filthy, would anyone like to be rained on by bird poo.
“It has previously been blamed on rubbish/food waste from the food outlets, this really is not the case and the people who have decided against a cull of these birds obviously d
o not live here or have to put up with the mess, is it not time to take action? It has been an issue for far too long now.”
But the idea that the area was infested with pigeons was pooh-poohed by town councillors, with Richard Crumly (Con, Thatcham central) saying that his recent observations were to the contrary.
He said: “I can’t recall seeing any pigeons causing a problem with their presence, droppings or noise. We need evidence. There’s a claim that the town is awash with pigeon droppings when we have heard against this.”
But Lee Dillon (Lib Dem, Thatcham north) said that the resident may use the High Street more than councillors, which could explain why they felt the area was too messy and needed addressing.
Councillor Crumly agreed to be “the boots on the ground” to monitor the pigeon situation and report back at the next meeting.
Do you think there’s a pigeon problem?
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Oct 4, 2015 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes
If you’ve been over to the House of St Barnabas members’ club in Soho you may have seen Patrick Murphy’s fabulous flock of pigeons, but if not, you’ve got the chance to catch them in a new art installation that’s launching today.
Murphy’s bright, eye-catching birds were originally as part of the Art Social ’14 festival and now they’re taking flight on to the lampposts of Soho for passers by to gawk at. Confused? Allows us to explain.
As we all know, pigeons have a bit of a bad rep and tend to be regarded as pests that we don’t want hanging around. According to Murphy, the installation aims to raise questions surrounding the struggle for acceptance, feelings of marginalisation and homelessness in urban environments. Oh and it looks cool, too.
So for the next three months, when you’re walking through Greek Street and Soho Square, look up and check out these feathery fellas without the fear of being pooed on in the process.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
