A fun fact that bird lovers don’t like to share is that birds can be an absolute nuisance in some cases. For example, their poop is full of uric acid that can eat away at metal structures, like bridges. That’s why you often see owl statues or the like on top of bridges, to scare away other birds. They can also be a nuisance at sporting events which is why SoFi stadium employs a falconer to deploy two Harris hawks to fly above the stadium. Or at least they did, before the birds were stolen.
In what might be one of the more unique accidental thefts of all time, a man is suspected of stealing a Kawasaki utility vehicle that had a housing unit for two Harris hawks in the back. Unfortunately, the birds were in the unit while the vehicle was being stolen. According to reports, the vehicle was last seen in the Century Village shopping area. The vehicle itself is a small utility vehicle, so not exactly something made for a high speed chase.
The falconer, Charles Cogger is having a hard time dealing with the theft. “I’ve really been struggling for the last 24 hours. A lot of tears,” he said. He still has one of his other hawks, but that’s little consolation when his two other birds are missing. As he continues to note, the issue is their health and their need for food. “The problem is I really need to get them back by no later than Thursday because then that means they’ll have gone four days without water or food, and That’s pretty hard on them.”
If by chance you do have any information, please contact the Inglewood Police Department at 310-412-5206. Aside from the job the birds perform to keep attendees free from feces and other bird issues, the bond that trainers form with their animals is something deep and special. To tear that asunder, accidental or not, is heartbreaking. We hope the birds are recovered and wish Charles Cogger the best in the return of his animals.
