BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers issued two misdemeanors to an employee of a pest control company in Broward County on Friday, authorities confirmed.
Authorities said the man, who has not yet been identified, is facing charges in connection with violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the taking of wildlife with poison, other than those pesticides that are registered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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FWC officers were dispatched to Graziano’s, the Argentinian restaurant at Weston Town Center after they 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.
There had been recent 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.
Although the officers did not find any dead birds at the restaurant, the restaurant owner advised them that he contracted a pest company to get rid of ‘nuisance’ birds, according to authorities.
“Most birds, including the boat-tailed grackles shown in the social media posts, are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This makes it is illegal to take or possess any part of them, including their eggs or nests without a specific federal permit,” investigators said in a news release Saturday.
After further investigation, authorities said the officers determined that the pest control company employee improperly administered the drug Avitrol to the birds at the restaurant.
The behavior of the birds affected by this drug is meant to be a deterrent to other birds. However, the drug was not administered in a manner consistent with the product label, authorities said.
Local 10 News is working to find out the name of the accused employee and what company he allegedly works for.
The public can report any suspected wildlife violations by contacting FWC through the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.