Homing pigeon refuses to leave yard

MANCHESTER, N.H., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A New Hampshire couple says they are searching for the owner of a homing pigeon that showed up in their yard and refuses to leave.

Don and Fran Roy of Manchester said the wayward pigeon, which they have named Trouble, had an identification band they tracked to a Preston, Conn., store, the New Hampshire Union Leader in Manchester reported Tuesday. The store said the bird had been sold to a Pennsylvania man.

However, that man, Dan Sizczynski, said he gave the bird away after the end of the summer racing season and does not know who ended up with the bird. He said he gives away about 140 pigeons at the end of each season.

The Roys said local animal shelters, wildlife rehabilitators and a lost-and-found ad have failed to find the lost bird's owner or a new home.

"We're worried about it," Fran Roy said. "We haven't the heart to take her out in the wild and let her go."

The couple said they have tried releasing Trouble from their yard, but the bird just circles around and returns.

"He went around the yard twice and came right back," Don Roy said.