Animal Rescuers Worried After Pigeons Are Found Wearing Tiny Cowboy Hats

westernjournal.com ^ | December 10, 2019 | Amanda Thomason

[UMCRevMom@aol.com]

Las Vegas is a place where you learn to expect the unexpected — but one recent discovery has even locals surprised.

Facebook user Bobby Lee originally posted the video that has people either in stitches or up in arms, according to the New York Post: Apparently, at least two pigeons in Las Vegas are wearing little red cowboy hats.

The sight is amusing — pigeons wearing hats? How ridiculous is that? But of course, the concerning bit is how the hats got there and why they're staying put — something Mariah Hillman with the animal rescue Lofty Hopes is pursuing.

"At first, I thought, 'Oh my god, that’s cute!' " Hillman told KVVU-TV. "And then, I was like, wait a minute — how did they get those hats on there?"

Though many couldn't care less about the fate of these "sky rats," Hillman has a soft spot for them, likens them to homeless people and has made it her mission to educate the public on these misunderstood critters.

"We rescue racing pigeons, wedding release doves, and feral pigeons," the Lofty Hopes "About" page on Facebook reads. "We rehab for adoption or release based on their needs. We do not condone breeding."

"It is our intent to inspire the community, to create the resources allowing community members to get involved in promoting humane treatment of pigeons by building community programs, educational opportunities, and partnerships across the nation. It is our mission to act as an advocate to ensure these war heroes their legal, moral, and ethical consideration and protection."

Concerned about the birds and how the hats might cause issues for their wearers, Hillman and her daughter have set out to locate the pigeons and see if they can help them.

"Did they glue them? And what does that mean for them?" Hillman told KVVU. "Is it something that's going to impede their flight or attract predators?"

"I looked all over the area, contacted the founder and gave him my number, as well as other businesses in the area asking them to call if they see them again and feed them until I arrive," Lofty Hopes posted on Facebook. "I'm only 3 miles away so fingers crossed."

Others have spotted them since the original sighting, and it seems as if Lofty Hopes is still hoping to find the birds. Until then, they're doing their best to get the word out.

"We drove up and down here yesterday for a good two hours just handing out business cards to any location where I saw pigeons and people," " Hillman said. "If you see these birds, just feed them until I get here. I'm only 3 miles away and I'll come trap them."

The birds in the video don't seem too perturbed by their fashionable gear. Domesticated pigeons often wear identification bands and plenty of wild pigeons seem to get along well enough with bigger inconveniences like a missing leg, but it is a little worrying that someone clearly had no qualms gluing (or somehow otherwise permanently affixing) items to animals.

If you happen to be in the area and spot these unique birds, you can message Lofty Hopes to let them know.

[BunnySlippers]

Yes...

Dogs have Masters

Cats have Staff

[twister881]

Q: What do you call a pigeon with a cowboy hat?

A: A coo-boy.

[Right Wing Assault]

The tiny pistols might be a problem, pigeons always hit what they aim for.

Yeah, instead of crap bombing your windshield, now they can shoot it.

But don't mess with their hats. A pigeon gots to look good!

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

Though many couldn't care less about the fate of these "sky rats," Hillman has a soft spot for them, likens them to homeless people and has made it her mission to educate the public on these misunderstood critters.

Obvious possibility: Hillman had the hats put on the pigeons to draw attention. If so, it worked and is a perfect example of a false flag and media manipulation.

[Rastus]

Animal Rescuers Worried After Pigeons Are Found Wearing Tiny Cowboy Hats

"Saddle up, boys. The pigeons are forming a posse."

[sgt_lau]

I come here for the humor, and I have yet to be disappointed.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

I would pay to see a pigeon Rodeo. Mouse riding. Roach roping. Hamster busting.

[Larry Lucido]

I suspect old Earl Haffler.

[VTenigma]

Pigeons should be irradiated.

---

I don’t know why, but that made me LOL.

[SIDENET]

I live in Vegas. They are definitely sky rats. I can’t grow grass because they immediately eat the seeds.

These ones are seed rustlers.

[Joe Boucher]

Ohhh nooo,
Cowboy hats on pigeons!!
The horror, the horror.

These detractors need to get a life.

[Chickensoup]

Rock doves and mourning doves

90+ per cent do not live one year. They are the chicken of the predator world. Slow-moving and stupid prey. I had three who roosted at night on my brick sidewalk because it was warm.

Just sitting there waiting to be eaten.

[Chickensoup]

pigeons are like homeless people?

Pigeons live outside. they like it out there. they are animals and they eat and drink in the outdoors. they are crummy nest builders, and as I said previously, they are stupid.

[Elsie]

It is OBVIOUS that these pigeons are over 50 years old!

Let they fly out their remaining days in peace!

[Elsie]

They’re just looking for a hot chess game.

[Elsie]

Indeed!

Wiener dogs have been subjected to far worse over the years.

Where are THEIR rescuers?

[Elsie]

Vibe my butt!

He growled at me to, “Get off my lawn!”

[I want the USA back]

Expected outrage. Outrage over sale of baby parts: none.

[Elsie]

Speaking of cowboys...

---

Cowboy Poetry

by Bill Jones

 

 

 

Jake, the rancher, went one day
to fix a distant fence.
The wind was cold and gusty
and the clouds rolled gray and dense.

As he pounded the last staples in
and gathered tools to go,
The temperature had fallen,
the wind and snow began to blow.

When he finally reached his pickup,
he felt a heavy heart.
From the sound of that ignition,
he knew it wouldn't start.

So Jake did what most of us
would do if we had been there.
He humbly bowed his balding head
and sent aloft a prayer.

As he turned the key for the last time,
he softly cursed his luck.
They found him three days later,
frozen stiff in that old truck.

Now Jake had been around in life
and done his share of roaming.
But when he saw Heaven, he was shocked --
it looked just like Wyoming!

Of all the saints in Heaven,
his favorite was St. Peter.
(Now, this line ain't needed
but it helps with rhyme and meter)

So they set and talked a minute or two,
or maybe it was three.
Nobody was keeping' score --
in Heaven time is free.

"I've always heard," Jake said to Pete,
"that God will answer prayer,
But one time I asked for help,
well, he just plain wasn't there."

"Does God answer prayers of some,
and ignore the prayers of others?
That don't seem exactly square --
I know all men are brothers."

"Or does he randomly reply,
without good rhyme or reason?
Maybe, it's the time of day,
the weather or the season."

"Now I ain't trying to act smart,
it's just the way I feel.
And I was wondering', could you tell me --
what the heck's the deal?!"

Peter listened very patiently
and when Jake was done,
There were smiles of recognition,
and he said, "So, you're the one!!"

"That day your truck, it wouldn't start,
and you sent your prayer a flying,
You gave us all a real bad time,
with hundreds of us trying."

"A thousand angels rushed,
to check the status of your file,
But you know, Jake, we hadn't heard
from you in quite a long while."

"And though all prayers are answered,
and God ain't got no quota,
He didn't recognize your voice,
and started a truck in Minnesota."

[Elsie]

...pigeons have targets