By John Di Leonardo
Pigeons are the symbol of New York City, as underscored by a 16-feet tall statue of a pigeon entitled “Dinosaur” on the High Line in Manhattan’s west side. All birds are descended from Theropods such as T-Rexes and velociraptors, the last vestiges of a marvel from millions of years ago; but the pigeons in New York City are more recently the descendants of birds domesticated and brought from Europe centuries ago.
Pigeons – also known as rock doves – flew in wars alongside our veterans, using their legendary navigational abilities and loyalty to their homes to deliver lifesaving communications with bullets flying past their heads; but when technology replaced them, they were cast aside and forced to fend for themselves like so many other veterans who have trouble adjusting to life after war, establishing flocks in our skyscrapers which resemble the rocky cliff faces of the natural homes they’ve never known.
Like all New Yorkers, pigeons are survivors, and like humans, they don’t want to be harassed on the streets, trapped, or killed; however, over the past month, thousands of pigeons have gone missing from New York City flocks.
Many of us have held protests, confronted suspects, and sounded the alarm on pigeons being abducted for cruel, canned hunts in Pennsylvania.
Last week, progress was made. A man by the name of Dwayne Daley was confronted by a brave New Yorker and arrested by the NYPD as he held twenty-five pigeons in his net.
Dwayne Daley is a repeat offender with an arrest record in New York dating back to 1982, including a 2007 arrest for poaching pigeons that was dismissed. A search of Pennsylvania state records shows Daley was arrested in January 2025 for harassment and was found guilty of criminal trespass in 2024.
Despite all of this, less than a day after his arrest, this progress was nearly undone, with the Manhattan District Attorney's office heedlessly handing Daley an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal, also known an ACD, or a “slap on the wrist” without a fine, without jail time, and without a record if he kept himself out of trouble for 6 months.
Thankfully, the NYPD linked Mr. Daley to a felony assault on a New Yorker who tried to stop him from netting dozens more pigeons back in 2021 before he flew the coop. Daley allegedly knocked out two of the victim’s teeth. Nevertheless, Daley was re-released on Friday.
With such lackadaisical prosecution by the Manhattan District Attorney's office, pigeon poachers have been emboldened with yet another pigeon poaching occurring during broad daylight at 8am on 71st and 37th Avenue this past Sunday.
As an anthrozoologist, I know that the link between animal abuse and violence toward humans has been well-documented by medical experts, police officials, and the FBI, so I am unsurprised by Daley’s history of violent behavior against humans and animals alike. What I am surprised about is how Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg treated this case.
Pigeons are New Yorkers, and until prosecutors clip the wings of pigeon poachers instead of letting them fly the coop, other New Yorkers, including humans and animals, are in danger.
For this week’s Anuvrat, I invite readers to show active kindness – or ahimsa – toward domestic animals abandoned on our streets. Consider getting involved in the spay-and-neuter of cats or adopt a dog or a cat from the street or a shelter. Volunteer at your local animal shelter or pinjrapole – or Humane Long Island if you're in New York. Put out clean water and seed for pigeons. Inspect the pigeons' feet for strings binding so many of their toes and contact a local wildlife rehabilitator if they need help. Contact your local prosecutor and urge them to prosecute animal cruelty to the fullest extent of the law, and not just for dogs and cats. And, of course, always intervene if you witness animal abuse of any kind. Unlike wild animals, who feeding can sometimes do more harm than good, domestic animals and ferals – like many pigeons who are somewhere in between – cannot survive without our care and vigilance.
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John Di Leonardo is the founding director of Humane Long Island. He was previously the Senior Manager of Grassroots Campaigns and Animals in Entertainment Campaigns for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). He has a Master's degree in Anthrozoology from Canisius College. He also earned a graduate certificate in Jain Studies from the International School of Jain Studies (ISJS) in India. John can be reached at [email protected].
