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Animal activists' lawsuit dismissed against utility
NY Newsday ^ | 5/28/2008

Posted on 05/29/2008 2:32:09 AM PDT by markomalley

United Illuminating Co. says a New Haven judge has dismissed a lawsuit by an animal rights group seeking to stop the company from capturing and killing monk parakeets nesting on utility poles.

The Darien-based Friends of Animals Inc., brought the lawsuit against UI more than two years ago, and wanted an injunction to permanently halt the eradication. The group recommended man-made nesting platforms, which United Illuminating criticizes as ineffective.

Judge Trial Referee Anthony DeMayo dismissed the case Wednesday, saying the plaintiffs' legal strategy was unusual because it failed to call UI officials to testify even though they were in the courtroom.

UI spokesman Al Carbone says the company is pleased with the judge's decision. He says the company has no current plans to capture the birds but will monitor rebuilt nests.

The company contends the nests cause power outages and are a public safety risk. Carbone says UI will remove nests in the fall unless there is an immediate danger.

Priscilla Feral, president of Friends of Animals, says the group will appeal.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; US: Connecticut
KEYWORDS: friendsofanimals; lawsuit; pests; ruling

1 posted on 05/29/2008 2:32:09 AM PDT by markomalley
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To: markomalley
"Priscilla Feral, president of Friends of Animals, says the group will appeal."

BTW, "Feral" was originally "Farrell" but this precious person thought it would be just so cute to be "Feral"

2 posted on 05/29/2008 2:48:20 AM PDT by muir_redwoods (Free Sirhan Sirhan, after all, the bastard who killed Mary Jo Kopechne is walking around free)
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To: markomalley

Gee! What could go wrong!

The Monk Parakeet is an invasive species. It should be eradicated in Connecticut.

3 posted on 05/29/2008 3:43:07 AM PDT by gridlock (Now that Polar Bears are protected under ESA, where do I go to apply for a permit to breathe?)
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To: markomalley

The birds must be an invasive species. We have flocks of them here in the Austin, Tx. area.


4 posted on 05/29/2008 4:15:39 AM PDT by wolfcreek (I see miles and miles of Texas....let's keep it that way.)
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To: gridlock; wolfcreek; markomalley
I had a monk parakeet for a pet a few years ago, and it was one of the smartest and potentially meanest birds I've ever seen.

Mine eventually "bonded" with me, but it would not let anyone else touch it. It was not afraid of people or cats, and if it didn't like you, it would fly across the room to get you. It chased cats for fun, and the cats ran. Little kids were not safe. Eventually I gave it to my father in law, and after a couple of months without me, it bonded to him.

But that bird had a sort of alleycat personality and was very smart. I often wondered what would happen if he flew away; I imagined the first winter would do him in. Apparently, they turn "feral" and adapt just fine.

5 posted on 05/29/2008 4:41:21 AM PDT by Sender (Never lose your ignorance; you can never regain it!)
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To: markomalley

This can’t be right.....everyone knows that only CATS kill birds—not humans. (/sarcasm)


6 posted on 05/29/2008 5:23:47 AM PDT by Fawn (We live in the Greatest country in the world, And I HOPE to CHANGE that -- Hussien Obama)
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To: Sender

My father had one of these creatures when I was a kid. It attacked me and I fought back. My dad took “pretty bird’s” side and beat the crap out of me.
Soon after that attack he tried it again. I was standing in an open door... BY BY birdie.
I am sure sorry if I was the root cause of this infestation, but I was only 10 at the time. 55 years ago..


7 posted on 05/29/2008 5:27:47 AM PDT by primatreat ("Flight animals are generally a n source of food".)
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To: wolfcreek

I live in Houston and I have never heard of a monk parakeet. Anyone have a picture? (We are bird watchers too.)


8 posted on 05/29/2008 5:34:24 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: primatreat
I'm sure a lot of them have escaped over the years, and probably a lot were let go deliberately after they proved aggressive.

Bunch of small green velociraptors from pet shops. I kind of enjoyed mine though. I felt like a pirate with him on my shoulder. He made a lot of hissing, clucking sounds that I know were some version of, "Avast ye swabs, look out for me, cuz I'll bite yer good an laugh. I'll bite the ear off this swab what carries me if he so much as looks at me. Arrgh."

9 posted on 05/29/2008 6:22:25 AM PDT by Sender (Never lose your ignorance; you can never regain it!)
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To: Ditter

They are also known as Quaker Parakeets.


10 posted on 05/29/2008 6:49:25 AM PDT by dis.kevin
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To: Ditter

See post #3

I haven’t seen these birds personally but, I hear they hang out on the powerlines above the ballfields near LadyBird Lake in Austin.

Apparently, they enjoy a good game of baseball.


11 posted on 05/29/2008 3:53:17 PM PDT by wolfcreek (I see miles and miles of Texas....let's keep it that way.)
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