I need some help

[Jally]

If this isn't appropriate, please delete. June 19th, the PA state game commissioner came into my home and took my disabled European Starling. They claim he is illegal to have, even though I haven't found anything pertaining to starlings in the PA laws. I looked when I first found him and even called rehabbers. No one said a word about them being illegal.

I've had him for a year. He is disabled, cannot fly, can barely perch, has balance issues and is constantly breaking flight feathers on his right side which is weaker than his left. He was very happy here. We all love him and want him back home again. Will you please sign my petition? If he doesn't come home, he will die.

https://www.change.org/petitions/pennsylvania-game-commission-free-wiggles-and-make-european-starlings-legal-to-own-in-pa

Thanks for reading.

[linda040899]

You got my signature, Jally!
I'm behind you 100% and I'm positive other members of this community will stand with you! Delete it? Not on your life!

[Jally]

Oh thank you Linda! It's been a roller coaster ride ever since they took him. I have no idea where he's at or if he's OK. They won't tell me anything. They did tell the Senator's office that he is recovering and will be released once he is fully recovered. He has a permanent neurological disability. He will not recover! However, the Senator's office believed the GC's office, until we went in and talked to them personally.

We have a lot of people from all over the world calling and emailing the Senator and State Rep and the Gov of PA, but I can't get a lawyer to take my case. A very nice woman told me to go to the courthouse to file papers myself. She said in most cases like this the game commissions office doesn't have the funds to go to court and the judge often sides against the agency. But, since I've had nothing but discouraging news from the people who are suppose to help me, I find that hard to believe. We're going to try though! Tomorrow, my husband and I are going to the courthouse to file those papers!

Hope all is well with you and your hubby. I haven't been here in awhile. :(

[Jally]

My husband and I went to the county courthouse today to file a petition to show cause of why the GC took Wiggles. All we got was the run around and told to go to a different office in our town. They in turn told us that they don't handle that sort of thing. They don't help get "possessions" back. Money, sure. Possessions, no. :(

So, we went to State Rep Todd Rock's office in person. We've emailed them, other people have emailed them, but we haven't went in person til today. They gave me a number for legal aid. We ran right home to call this number and guess what...they don't handle cases like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :evil:

:( I can't get a lawyer to take my case and I can't do it myself either!

A woman from NJ was the one who advised us to go to the courthouse and she was stunned to hear that they couldn't help. She gave me an email address to a lawyer in Philly. I'm sure this is going to be expensive, but a lawyer in another city will be a lot more expensive because they'll have to include travel time. But, if she will help then it'll be worth it.

[Jally]

We have a lawyer! This lawyer has fought the GC 2 times and won both times! Recently, he fought to get a Quaker home! Quakers are illegal in PA, but Gizmo is home with his mom!!!! Please send some good thought our way!

Here's Wiggles' FB page if you want to check out what's been happening.

https://www.facebook.com/wigglesthestarling

Thank you!!!!

[linda040899]

Thanks, Jally
Some things just aren't right and this is one of them! Good luck!

As for the Quaker, your lawyer must really be good to have gotten one sent back to its owner! PA is one of the worst states for enforcing this law!

[Jally]

He's very confident that he can help and he's willing to help with a good faith payment for a retainer rather than the $3000 he originally asked for. :omg: He's close to Pittsburgh and he'd have to travel over 3 hours one way to file papers with our county courthouse. So 6 hours of driving plus time at the courthouse...that's a lot of time spent on our case. He's the only one that has ever said he'd help. :( But, that $3000 had us having to say no. A friend/forum member/professor of ornithology at Temple University here in PA persuaded him to help us for a lower rate. :happy:

[Mummieeva]

I signed it too. Is it ok if I share it on my FB page?

[Jally]

Yes, please share it.

So, I talked to the lawyer and he's back at insisting on that $3000. I'm losing hope big time!!!! :( :( :(