Remaining pigeons trapped under Bayonne bridge have been removed
Bayonne city officials say DPW crews pulled out the last remaining pigeons that were trapped behind netting installed under the 8th St. bridge.
The last remaining pigeons trapped behind netting installed under the 8th Street bridge in Bayonne were removed by a DPW crew Tuesday morning.
There were no birds visible Tuesday in the areas under the bridge where the birds had nested.
When the netting was installed in late August as a way to deter a problem with bird droppings, 50 to 60 birds were trapped and some died.
Bayonne Business administrator Andrew Casais released the following statement:
“Following the previously announced procedure, this morning the Department of Public Works and its vendor returned to the 8th Street and Broadway bridge. The City and its vendor freed trapped birds and scrutinized the bridge for any others. To this end, the City has concluded that no additional birds can be detected within the bridge structure, behind the deterrent netting. The City will continue to conduct periodic checks to ensure the absence of birds and to affirm the integrity of the netting.”
While the city says all of the birds are gone, several concerned neighbors believe some birds might still be living there.
"They told Darlene that there’s no babies, there’s no fledglings and that’s not true. The babies are hidden in the back," said Donna Ostrowski.
Ostrowski, was referring to Donna Dynega, a local resident who had been attempting to feed the trapped birds last week - and even took six birds that were freed to The Raptor Trust for rehabilitation.
Dynega was charged on Saturday with three others with criminal mischief for using a ladder to free some of the birds.
"I’m really upset about this, it did not have to be done this way. It’s so inhumane. When you see a baby running back and forth frantic and then the next day you see it dead there, it broke my heart," said Dynega.
The city set up traps to catch the birds. At first they were checking traps every 48 hours. As of Friday, the city had been checking the traps daily.
