Pigeon suspected of spying for China released in India after PETA intervention, group says

A pigeon suspected of spying for China and held for eight months was released by Indian officials this week after intervention from animal rights organization PETA, the group said in a statement.

A pigeon suspected of spying for China and held for eight months was released by Indian officials this week after intervention from animal rights organization PETA, the group said in a statement. “After learning that a pigeon was held at the Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals (BSDPHA) in Parel as case property for an astonishing eight months, PETA India sprang into action to secure the bird’s freedom from captivity,” PETA said. The animal’s ordeal began in May last year, when it was captured near a port in Mumbai. There was a message written on the pigeon’s wings in words that appeared to be Chinese, PETA added. “This led to suspicion of spying and caused police to seize the bird, who was sent to Mumbai’s BSDPHA for a medical examination as part of an investigation.” CNN has reached out to Mumbai police for comment. Another pigeon was reportedly taken into custody in 2016 after authorities found it with a note that threatened Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the most recent case, PETA contacted police in Mumbai “without further delay… to grant formal permission for the hospital to release the pigeon.”