WESTON, Fla. – A spokesperson for Graziano’s, the Argentinian restaurant at Weston Town Center, reported a third party was hired to address “a bird infestation.”
The spokesperson said the pest control company promised that “the steps to deter the birds would be safe and humane,” but this was far from what happened this week.
While the spokesperson declined to name the pest control company and products used, Gary Wilcox, a pest control expert who was not related to the job, said signs pointed to the possible use of the toxin Avitrol.
“A lot of times if we use chemical control, it will either result in that animal suffering or unintended animals suffering,” said Cournoyer. “People are told it’s to frighten the birds. But really what it is is a toxin that acts on their nervous system. It can lead to death at a certain dose.”
An investigator with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was at Weston Town Center Thursday following Local 10 News’ investigation into the sudden deaths of birds outside the shopping center.
“It creates a bad rap for all the stores here,” said shopper Lauren John. “I can’t believe that would happen.”
At the same time, there had been online pressure mounting for the name of the tenant to be revealed after management at Town Center said a tenant hired an unauthorized pest control service that led to birds and squirrels seemingly being poisoned.
“It was really upsetting to see all those animals be affected like that,” said South Florida Wildlife Center Medical Director Charlotte Cournoyer. “Those birds were passed a point of intervention. We did have one bird come into our hospital, but he was deceased by the time he arrived.”
Many in the shopping center had suspected Graziano’s was behind the incident.
“Somebody thought someone at the restaurant didn’t like the birds and they decided to take care of the problem,” said Diana Rivera.
A spokesperson from the restaurant confirmed to Local 10 that they did hire the pest control company, saying, in part: “(Graziano’s) recently engaged a third-party animal control party to address the bird infestation that was threatening the health and safety of our staff and patrons.”
They added that the company told them steps taken to deter birds would be safe and humane.
Graziano’s spokesperson went on to say they “are saddened to learn that the birds were harmed during the intervention.”
The restaurant’s spokesperson said they are working with the FWC to rectify the incident.