Photos by Brittney Rokicki
Audio By Carbonatix
After a video of a man stuffing caged pigeons into a black trash bag on the roof of the Neo Vertika condominium building in Brickell went viral on social media this week, the management office assured residents that the removal method is compliant with state guidelines. The office also said it was forced to take action after residents started feeding the pigeons, causing “a significant increase in pigeon activity throughout the building.”
In an email to residents on Thursday afternoon, Neo Vertika said a complaint about the pigeon video was filed with local officials.
“The case has since been closed with no violations issued,” reads the email obtained by New Times.
The email said the management office was “not previously aware of the specific method being used” by the removal company. After concerns were raised over the man’s actions in the video, in which he appeared at one point to shake a pigeon and later stuck them into a bucket, the office said it immediately contacted the vendor and the city to ensure compliance.
“All actions taken by the vendor are performed in accordance with [Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission] (FWC) guidelines and applicable regulations,” management added. “We understand that the circulating video may be upsetting to some. However, the Association is addressing a documented nuisance and public health concern using lawful and professional means after repeated attempts to resolve the issue through resident cooperation.”
A spokesperson from Miami-Dade Animal Services told New Times that its enforcement team visited the property on Thursday, spoke to the property manager, and confirmed that there are no violations of animal welfare or cruelty laws.
“The condominium association has contracted a licensed wildlife removal company to humanely trap and remove the pigeons from the property,” the spokesperson said.
A report from the visit states that the property manager provided a copy of the contract with the trapping company, Pet Wildlife Pro, a copy of the company’s current state certificates, and a copy of a letter sent to residents last November to stop feeding the pigeons.
“No cruelty to animal violations were found,” the county employee wrote.
According to the FWC website, nuisance wildlife is defined as animals that “cause property damage, present a threat to public safety, or cause an annoyance within, under, or upon a building.” Captured nuisance wildlife, however, must be released legally or euthanized humanely within 24 hours of capture, FWC guidelines state.
The building has been experiencing increased pigeon activity, according to the email to residents, and management discovered that three residents had a bird feeder on their units’ balconies. The feeding continued despite orders to stop.
“This resulted in ongoing health, sanitation, and property concerns for the community,” the email reads. “Many owners raised serious concerns regarding the impact on children and the elderly residents, as well as the need to continuously clean balconies and common areas due to excessive bird droppings.”
Management said it contacted local authorities to review the available options and chose “WildlifePro after evaluating multiple vendors.” It noted that the association has the legal authority to protect the property and its residents.
“We also want to clearly state that our staff should not be subjected to mistreatment or be made the target of this situation,” the email stated. “Additionally, any claims suggesting that Association staff were directed to handle or harm wildlife are inaccurate. All work related to this matter is performed exclusively by licensed third-party professionals.”
In response to the video, an FWC spokesperson told New Times that they are “checking with law enforcement for more information.” Pet Wildlife Pro declined to comment when contacted by New Times.
