O/T EXCUSE ME SIR IS THAT A PIGEON IN YOUR PANTS - Page 1

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28994681/

SYDNEY - An Australian traveler was caught with two live pigeons stuffed in his pants following a trip to the Middle East, customs officials said Tuesday.

The 23-year-old man was searched after authorities discovered two eggs in a vitamin container in his luggage, said Richard Janeczko, national investigations manager for the Customs Service.

They found the pigeons wrapped in padded envelopes and held to each of the man's legs with a pair of tights, according to a statement released by the agency. Officials also seized seeds in his money belt and an undeclared eggplant.

 

The alleged bird smuggler, who arrived in Melbourne on Sunday on a flight from Dubai, was being questioned.

Australia has very strict quarantine regulations on the importation of wildlife, plants and food to protect health, agriculture and the environment of the isolated island nation.

Charges of wildlife smuggling — which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of 110,000 Australian dollars ($70,430) — could be brought against the man.

Janeczko said the pigeons were not endangered and that the case — as well as the birds, eggs and seeds — had been turned over to the Quarantine Service to assess the health risk associated with bringing the birds into the country.

The Quarantine Service would not comment on the continuing investigation.

I wonder why he wanted the pigeons so bad. LOL Too funny . That guy needs to vent . Tell him about the Raymond thread he will feel better if he gets it off his chest.

Don't they have pigeons there already?   Just kidding.

I just heard about the fire death toll , thats not funny.

What fire ??

Down under is burning, terrible wildfires, record deaths.

Thats what I get for watching sci fi all day. Now I have to steal the remote control.

Don't steal it, hide it in your pants.

In a huge country such as Australia, there are only about 3,000 pigeon fanciers, very few indeed, THey can export pigeons there but it is costly a rough guess about 600 Aus dollars a bird from Belgium
So i guess he took a chance, A bad mistake to make
Then again the amount of Fanciers in the USA are more, even Canada has only about 3 to 4 thousand fanciers but fall short of tiny Belgium and the UK by a long way
In the 1960's there were over 300,000 pigeon fanciers in Belgium It is down to about 35.000 now. Youngters are not interested and we fanciers are getting older and dieing out 
Soon i expect i will be one less,  But i have always said if i die without winning the All Europe Barcelona International i will come back in another guise for a second go
Steve