Mystery in the Skies: 47 Birds Fall to the Ground; 3 Cats Affected

BOSTON, MA — On Thursday, a Bakersfield Street resident phoned the Animal Rescue League of Boston with a distressing story: her cat had fallen sick, and she had seen birds falling from the trees.

The ARL arrived in her Dorchester neighborhood to administer emergency treatment to the cat, but said it could not be saved. Nearby, the ARL said it found 47 birds either falling to the ground, sick, thrashing and unable to fly, or simply unresponsive.

At least three cats may also have been affected, the City of Boston's Inspectional Services Department said Friday. ARL is warning neighbors to keep their pets away from the area of 33 Bakersfield Street.

According to the ARL: 12 of the grackles were found dead; eight perished en route to the shelter; another 12 have since been euthanized "due to their poor condition"; and 15 remain in good health, under the care of its veterinary team.

The birds that died have been sent to Tufts University for testing; the living birds are being sent to the Tufts Wildlife Center in Grafton.

In a post, the ARL said it "continues to work with the State Department of Agriculture, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, City of Boston Inspectional Services Department, and Boston Public Health Commission to determine the cause of this unusual incident."

Image courtesy Animal Rescue League of Boston