THE BIRD THEFT VICTIM'S NETWORK
Networks are created out of fear, helplessness, anger and somebody actually caring and wanting to get involved. This desire to protect family pets and businesses becomes a way of life for some aviculturists who are committed to the preservation of species for future generations to come.
NETWORKING, through victims, individuals, groups, pet shops, veterinarians, law enforcement, or by any other means, is an indispensable part of recovering stolen birds.
Your network can be thought of as a pyramid. Time is a critical factor, in a matter of hours the network is "activated."
It starts with the victim's accurate first hand information which is passed on to all parties.
Law enforcement has its own internal network where information is complied from the victim, networkers, other cases etc., regarding suspects' names, evidence, surveillance, and where birds may be held, etc.
DO NOT EXPECT law enforcement to give you details or share information on leads they are working on with you. Information leaked through innocent channels HAS JEOPARDIZED ongoing investigations in which various government agencies were working, resulting in many wasted man hours and taxpayer dollars.
MUTUAL RESPECT and INTEGRITY are a must in any network to produce results.
Persons who enhance or inflate stories, or give false information to networkers and law enforcement will loose credibility immediately and waste time and money tracking down useless information.
In Miami where major bird thefts occurred once a week, false accusations were rampant and innocent breeders, brokers, pet shops and veterinarians had all become the focus or target of bird theft investigations. These innocent people became victims in a panic stricken bird community. Some had been damaged financially and their credibility ruined. Embarrassing situations were created for law enforcement as well.
THE RESULT? INTEREST WAS LOST BY ALL INVOLVED IN TRYING TO RESOLVE BIRD THEFT.
UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
Bird breeders, driving in a rural section of the county, came across a battered cage and nestbox on the side of the road. When they looked inside the nestbox there was an egg and a pair of Umbrella Cockatoos. All were dead. It was never determined who the birds belonged to or how and why the cage came to rest on the side of the road.
South Florida has a very large bird community and while it may seem amazing that nobody claimed these birds, many first and second bird thefts go unreported to authorities or are not even mentioned to the avicultural community. Breeders and hobbyists wanted to remain anonymous.