As we reported earlier this month, a pigeon with a blow gun dart embedded in its head was spotted in the Castro at 18th and Sanchez streets.

It now appears that there are possibly two more pigeons out in the area with blow dart injuries. A photo of a second pigeon with a dart through its neck was posted on Reddit, and commenters mentioned that there may be a third pigeon out there who was shot by an unknown culprit or culprits.



Animal Care & Control (ACC) spokesperson Deb Campbell told us that animal control officers have been out multiple times in an attempt to catch and help them, "but the pigeon(s) are always gone."

At the moment, the birds appear to still be able to fly, eat and drink even with the darts in their bodies.



Hoodline reached out to ACC and SFPD on whether or not there were any leads in who could be shooting the pigeons with blow darts.



"We do not have any evidence that would lead us to the person who is committing such a revolting act," ACC's Officer Edith told us. An SFPD spokesperson told us that they were unaware of any police reports that had been filed in the matter.

Officer Edith also wrote on Twitter earlier this month that the injured pigeons look so terrible, but appear to just carry on as normal. "I wish they knew we would help if they stayed put," she wrote.

She encourages anyone who sees the pigeons to contact ACC. "We value all animals, regardless of their social status," she told us.



Last month, ACC was able to rescue a different pigeon, who wasn't shot, but suffered from a broken leg. It is now continuing to heal at Bayview's pigeon rescue organization Palomacy.

We also spoke to the rescue's founder, Elizabeth Young, to learn more about the blow dart victims. "This is a terribly cruel and senseless (and illegal) thing to do to any creature," she said.

Palomacy founder Young. | Photo: Stephen Jackson/Hoodline

According to California law, every person who maliciously and intentionally hurts or kills a living animal is guilty of a crime:

[It] is punishable as a felony by imprisonment [...] or by a fine of not more than $20,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment, or alternatively, as a misdemeanor by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than $20,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

Young tells us that luring the pigeons into a trap or indoors with food and then capturing them is likely to be more successful than trying to grab them.



"Injured pigeons are especially cautious," she said. If someone is able to catch the bird(s), Young recommends taking them to WildCare, a wildlife hospital and nature education center located in San Rafael.

"That will speed up their care," she said.



The pigeons with the blow gun darts are adult pigeons, mated to another pigeon, and trying to egg-sit and raise babies, Young explained.

"They are in pain, at risk of infection, starvation and becoming entangled or stuck in something," Young said. "Whoever is doing this is very cruel. They should be ashamed of themselves."



If you see one of the pigeons on the street, you can also contact Animal Care & Control's emergency dispatch line at (415) 554-9400. More info about what to do when finding an ill, injured or orphaned animal can also be found on WildCare's website.