Jul 28, 2006 10:26 pm US/Pacific
Poisoned Pigeons Fall Like 'Dive Bombers'
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (AP) ―
An attempt to control pigeons at a hospital went awry when sick and dying birds falling from the sky disrupted emergency room operations.
"Birds were coming down like dive bombers," said Fire Chief Robert Farstad.
Ellis Hospital said its emergency room continued to treat patients during the incident Thursday evening but had to divert ambulances to other hospitals.
The hospital had brought in an exterminator to use a pesticide to get rid of pigeons on the roof. The chemical was designed to poison a few birds, whose distress calls would then drive off other members of the flock. Instead, more than two dozen pigeons were stricken.
Emergency workers spent hours searching the hospital grounds and putting dead birds in red hazardous-waste bags.
County health officials said they will investigate whether the pesticide was improperly mixed or applied.
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