Plymouth couple lose battle to keep 35 rare, expensive pigeons

The City Council ruled that the 35 birds violate an ordinance on domestic animals. Their owners had argued that the rare specimens are simply harmless pets.

In the latest metro area flap over whether pigeons are pests or pets, a Plymouth couple have been ordered to get rid of 35 rare and expensive pigeons.

Vera and Valeriy Partyka argue that the brown and white birds, which cost as much as $2,000 each and were shipped from places like Germany and Iran, are no different from pets like their hamsters or cat.

But the City Council disagreed Tuesday night, giving the couple six months to remove the birds, which they’ve had for more than a decade.

Continued