Four people are facing animal cruelty charges following an investigation by Pittsburgh Police and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
According to police, Bird Control Services of Wernersville was contracted by management of the Frick Building downtown to control the bird population on and around the property using chemicals.
Police say arrest warrants were issued for Allen Zimmerman, owner of Bird Control Services, Randall Hoffmaster, an employee of Bird Control Services, Colleen Derbish (AKA Kelly Derbish), the on-site Manager of the Frick Building, Francisco Escalante, the Manager of the Frick Building.
All four people as well as the company, Bird Control Services, face the following charges:
· 3 counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals
· 3 counts of Cruelty to Animals
· 3 counts of Cruelty to Animals
· 3 counts of city ordinance (Prohibiting the capture and harm of any wild birds)
"What we really want people to learn from this is that there are other, non-lethal and effective ways to deter birds from roosting on properties. We really want to educate people so that wild birds or other innocent animals are not put in danger," said Officer Luffey. Luffey was the main investigator of the case.
"This was an unfortunate way to control the wild bird population in an urban center. Other wild animals or domesticated pets being walked downtown could have easily ingested this poison with tragic results," Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said.
The investigation began back in November of 2020 when a woman who was driving in the area near the Frick Building noticed a number of dead pigeons on the street and sidewalk. She reported it to Animal Control.