Reward money probably won’t matter in catching the culprits, authorities are being tight-lipped about their investigation, the identity of the shooter(s) is possibly being hushed up and juvenile(s) are the most likely perpetrators.
That was the gist of a presentation by husband-and-wife team Josh Bridwell and Brooke Durham representing SoCal Parrot, a Jamul-based nonprofit animal welfare group, at a special meeting held April 21 at All Souls Episcopal Church in Point Loma.
Speaking of the death or wounding of 12 or more wild endangered parrots since Feb. 19 in the Ocean Beach area, Durham said reward money being offered for information leading to prosecution of the culprit(s) is now up to $7,000.
But she added she doubts that will make a real difference in capturing those guilty of animal cruelty, a crime punishable by up to one year in jail and a $20,000 fine per count with any conviction remaining on the defendant’s record.
“We know career criminals will give up other criminals for money,” Durham said. “But here we’re dealing with something that is much more community-based, and (therefore) money is not the motivating thing here.”
Animal cruelty is defined as “malicious, intentional or cruel maiming, mutilation, torture or causing unjustified pain, suffering, wounding or killing of living animals.”
Durham hinted there are some strong leads in identifying the Ocean Beach parrot killers, but added, “Right now there’s not enough to go forward with a prosecution.” She said SoCal Parrot has taken the initiative in “going out into the community and encouraging people to say what they’ve seen.”
Durham suggested the identities of those responsible is known, but that that information is likely being withheld due to neighborhood peer pressure.
Noting the shooter(s) are probably using air-guns with bb’s and pellets, Durham pointed out, “It’s illegal for anyone under age 18 to use an air-gun without written parental consent.” But Durham was quick to note air-guns are not in the same category as hand guns and other firearms, which use black powder for pellet propulsion.
As to leads, Durham said, “We have clear indications, from multiple sources, that a particular group of juveniles may be involved,” while adding there’s also a strong likelihood that the identities of youths who may be involved is being suppressed by their parents, who could be threatening their neighbors with legal action if they allege their children are involved.
Durham also said SoCal Parrot has essentially been “locked out” of the investigation into the parrot killings by police and animal control. She’s been told by those organization’s that SoCal Parrot’s involvement would interfere with the ongoing investigation.
?Josh Bridwell gave a slideshow presentation on parrots noting there are three primary species found in San Diego and the Peninsula, none of which are native and most of which are threatened. He said most of the wild parrots in San Diego and Southern California have migrated here from Mexico, where deforestation has destroyed trees they live in and feed off of causing them to migrate.
The slideshow presentation showed an alarming decline in the wild parrot’s habitat which has dwindled to a remnant of the huge areas they once inhabited before agriculture led to wide scale deforestation altering the natural environment driving the birds out.
Durham likened the parrot-killing case to a Jigsaw puzzle.
“Every little bit of information given to the authorities, the better the picture is,” she concluded.
Anyone with information about the parrot killings is urged to call the county Department of Animal Services’ parrot information hotline at (619) 767-2766 or (619) 236-2341. Callers can remain anonymous.
For more information about SoCal Parrot visit socalparrot.org, facebook.com/socalparrot or email [email protected].