Neighbors: Man Caught On Video Poisoning Animals In Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A possible case of animal cruelty was caught on surveillance video in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, after dozens of birds, squirrels and cats were found dead over the past few months.
As CBS2's Elise Finch reported, neighbors believe the animals were poisoned.
Last summer, Brian Baglioni noticed the bird feeders in front of his apartment kept getting damaged or taken down. The bird food itself was scattered on the sidewalk below – mixed with substances such as ground glass and gasoline.
Baglioni's neighbors on 91st Street near Third Avenue in Brooklyn said they noticed cans of cat food topped with white powder, and other odd substances strategically placed around the block.
Then they noticed animals in the area started dying.
"Groups of birds dead on the ground, for no reason whatsoever, in various locations.. And then cats – just dead on the ground. No indication of being hit by a car or any bruises, blood, nothing -- just dead," Baglioni said.
With his neighbor's help, Baglioni installed a motion-activated camera aimed at the tree where his bird feeders hang.
It took months, but he finally saw what he was looking for. A man with a long pole was seen taking down the bird feeders, and then leaving and coming back with a bottle of liquid that he spread on the ground beneath the tree.
The liquid was later found to be antifreeze.
Residents said they are shocked and scared, because they do not know if the person acted alone or if they're one of many.
"I'm really upset you know," said Josefina Soto of Bay Ridge.
"It's such a cliché to pick on somebody small and defenseless," another neighbor said.
"I personally think they're cowards and they have issues," added Dante Dalessandro of Bay Ridge.
Baglioni said he wants whoever is responsible for destroying the bird feeders and poisoning the animals caught, before more animals or people get hurt.
"This stuff is on the sidewalk and on the ground -- any dog can track it, any dog can lick it; any kid can eat it," Baglioni said. "It's a danger to everybody; every living thing."
Police confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad. Residents said now that there is video evidence, they hope the person or people responsible will be caught.
Residents asked anyone who recognizes the man in the video to call the Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad at the 68th Precinct.