Doubts cast over Joe the pigeon’s US origins, MP calls for ‘pigeon pardon’

The racing bird at the centre of biosecurity storm after it was reported he flew to Melbourne from Alabama has finally had his place of origin confirmed.

Joe the pigeon was found in a Victorian backyard on Boxing Day. Picture: David Caird

The plucky pigeon at the centre of biosecurity storm after it was reported he flew to Melbourne from Alabama is in fact not from America at all.

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, which is responsible for biosecurity, issued an updated statement on Friday night confirming the bird was not from USA.

“Following an investigation, the department has concluded that Joe the Pigeon is highly likely to be Australian and does not present a biosecurity risk,” the statement said.

“The department is satisfied that the bird’s leg band is a fraudulent copy of a legitimate leg band.

“No further action will be taken by the department in relation to this matter.”

Doubt had previously been cast over Joe’s origins after it became clear any possible international origin may have made him a bio-security risk.

Then, the American Racing Pigeon Union claimed the blue band on the bird which found its way to an Officer backyard on Boxing Day is “a counterfeit” and the pigeon affectionately christened Joe is most likely not from Alabama, as originally believed.

Joe was found by a Melbourne man in his backyard on Boxing Day Picture: David Caird

“The pigeon need not be destroyed per biosecurity measures because his actual home is in Australia ... the pigeon did not stray from the US,” it stated on social media.

Pigeon Rescue Melbourne also said the band was “a knock off”, readily sourced over the internet, and it was “working on helping Joe”, who it appeared was Australia’s own.

The revelation came as a Victorian politician pleaded for a “pigeon pardon” to save the racing bird which had previously been thought to have flown all the way from the US to Victoria.

Joe was set to be caught and killed because he posed a biosecurity threat.

Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick pleaded with the federal government to “take Joe off death row” with “a pigeon pardon”, while Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley called for “compassion” to be exercised.

“As I understood it, it was the Commonwealth’s quarantine officials who had indicated a very short time that Joe’s got left on this planet,” Mr Foley said.

“I would urge the Commonwealth’s quarantine officials to show a little bit of compassion.”

Mr Meddick said Joe, who was named after US president-elect Joe Biden, had asked for the bird to be allowed to go into quarantine and then live in Australia.

“Should the federal government allow Joe to live, I am happy to seek assurances that he is not a flight risk ... surely the federal government has larger issues to deal with right now than death sentences for pigeons?”

“I know I speak for many Australians who want justice for Joe,” he said.

Kevin Celli-Bird found Joe in his backyard. Picture: David Caird

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack was also drawn into the furore, saying the pigeon could not be afforded special treatment if he posed a threat to Australia’s biosecurity.

“If Joe has come in a way that has not met our strict biosecurity measures, then bad luck, Joe. Either fly home or face the consequences,” Mr McCormack said.

Joe landed in the backyard of Kevin Celli-Bird — in Officer on Melbourne’s outskirts — on Boxing Day.

When Mr Mr Celli-Bird checked the exhausted bird’s tag, it appeared to reveal he hailed from Montgomery, Alabama, in America’s deep south.

Mr Celli-Bird said he was contacted by a government department on Thursday and asked to catch the bird so it could be euthanised.

Mr Celli-Bird said he was at the time advised any attempt to stop the bird’s euthanasia would be met with penalties.

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