In honor of the debut of Animal Planet?s ?Taking on Tyson,? Standing 8 Court took a moment to research whether it is illegal to raise pigeons in New York, Mike Tyson?s home state. The answer, in short, is no, unless he does so without a permit or in contravention of local law, or the government or administrative body in question finds the subject pigeon coop to be a ?menace to public health? or a ?public nuisance.? Pigeons are also not permitted to be taken ?in a manner which will endanger other animal life, persons or property.? As far as other legal rights and issues facing ?Taking on Tyson,? PETA has, of course, exercised its rights under the First Amendment to oppose the show since they believe that Tyson?s housing of pigeons and use of them for sport constitutes cruelty to animals. This author, for one, would not want to be the person to throw animal?s blood on Tyson in any protest.
