PETA is now offering a $5,000 reward for suspect information about the shooting of at least five parrots in Ocean Beach and Point Loma.
Animal activists from PETA raised the money as an incentive for the public to help identify the culprits for the animal cruelty case, which involved using a pellet gun to shoot the endangered birds.
Police have not yet made any arrests in connection with the animals’ deaths, which mainly occurred in a neighborhood near Gage and Talbot streets.
"At least five beautiful birds have been shot and left to die from grievously painful injuries," said PETA Senior Director Colleen O'Brien. "PETA is urging anyone with information about their deaths to come forward immediately, before anyone else gets hurt."
With signs from residents reading “Stop Shooting the Parrots,” there is a visible level of community disapproval for the string of bird shootings that occurred over an eight-day period.
Jamul-based SoCal Parrot, a wild parrot conservation group, said the birds are part of endangered species that include Lilac Crowned Amazons and Red Masked Conures.
Anybody with information should contact the San Diego police at 619-692-4800. An investigation of the animal cruelty case is under way.
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The parrot shootings are considered a federal offense and could be punished with jail time and a $20,000 fine.
