US Pigeon That Flew To Australia May Be Put Down For “Illegal Entry”

Authorities stated an investigation has begun to seek out the authenticity of the US tag.

Sydney, Australia:

A pigeon that survived the lengthy journey to Australia from the United States might be put down because of the strict biosecurity guidelines within the nation, however a visit again house can be on the playing cards after help elevated for a pardon.

“Humane destruction of the bird is the best safeguard for Australian poultry and wildlife,” Australia’s agriculture division stated in an announcement.

Melbourne resident Kevin Celli-Bird discovered the pigeon in his backyard on Boxing Day and found by means of the chicken’s tag on its leg that it was registered to an proprietor in Alabama state within the United States, Australian media reported.

Authorities stated an investigation has begun to seek out the authenticity of the US tag because it was unlikely the chicken flew greater than 13,000 kilometres (8,000 miles) to Australia and will have been a hitchhiker on a cargo vessel.

Authorities are additionally taking a look at choices to handle the biosecurity dangers and this may increasingly embody transferring the chicken again to the United States, if authorities there agree.

The pigeon, which has been named “Joe”, has gained reputation in social media platforms with many tweeting with the hashtag #joethepigeon demanding its secure return to the United States.

“My wife named him Joe. She was going to call him Donald but we thought that might not be politically correct, so she called him Joe instead,” Celli-Bird informed TV broadcaster Nine Network.

Australia has strict quarantine laws on bringing dwell animals or birds into the nation to stop ailments from spreading on the arid continent.

“If Joe has come in a way that has not met our strict biosecurity measures then bad luck Joe. Either fly home or face the consequences,” Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack informed reporters.

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp and his then spouse Amber Heard in 2015 have been charged with illegally bringing their Yorkshire terriers Pistol and Boo into Australia however have been let off within the courtroom with an excellent behaviour bond.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)