Accused Pigeon Smugglers Stopped at US-Canadian Border

Accused pigeon smugglers stopped at US-Canadian border
January 01, 2008 07:47 EST
Channel 2 News, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) -- Two Canadian men have been slapped with $1,000 fines and may face criminal charges after trying to smuggle four pigeons into the U.S. Authorities say the men were stopped at the border crossing in Lewiston, New York, Sunday and had the pigeons in their coat pockets, wrapped and taped from neck to tail.

One man told Customs and Border Protection officers that he's a pigeon collector and was taking the birds to trade or sell to his uncle in the U.S. People bringing in pet birds are required to have them inspected to guard against diseases like bird flu.

The case has been referred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. And the pigeons are now in the custody of the Agriculture Department.