Police say a night out at a downtown Greensburg bar took a strange and ugly turn when a patron showed up with an injured parakeet in his pocket and bragged that he fed it marijuana and beer every day. Staff at Callaghan's Bar, on the 500 block of South Main Street, called authorities on the night of Feb. 21 after spotting the small bird, which looked weak, underweight, and clearly in distress. The parakeet, later nicknamed Blue Skies, was rushed for emergency veterinary care.
Bar Staff Call Police As Injured Bird Pulled From Pocket
Responding officers from Greensburg police say the man, identified as 40-year-old Timothy Grace, was heavily intoxicated when they arrived. Detective Sgt. Justin Scalzo said the bird's leg appeared broken and its foot was “facing the wrong direction,” adding that the case was “definitely an odd one,” according to WTAE. Lt. Rob Jones, who volunteers with local animal shelters, transported the injured parakeet to the AVET Center in Monroeville for an emergency evaluation.
Vets Stabilize Blue Skies As Local Rescue Takes Over
Veterinarians determined the bird was underweight, dehydrated, and suffering from a broken leg, local reporting says. They stabilized Blue Skies, then transferred the parakeet to a local rescue organization. PEARL Parrot Rescue, a foster-based parrot group in the Pittsburgh area, confirmed the bird is now recovering in its care, though the group warned the damaged leg might not be salvageable.
Animal-Cruelty Charges Filed Under State Law
Police arrested Grace at the bar, and authorities say he now faces animal-cruelty charges, including aggravated cruelty to animals and cruelly transporting an animal. As reported by WTAE, officers also cited him for public intoxication, and the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office filed the cruelty counts. Under Pennsylvania law, aggravated cruelty is treated as a felony of the third degree, while cruelly transporting an animal is a summary offense, according to Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
Case Heads To Court As Rescuers Monitor Bird’s Recovery
The DA’s office submitted the case through the CrimeWatch public-notification system, local reports say, and it will move forward in Westmoreland County court. Police credited the bartender and several patrons for quickly calling in the situation and praised Lt. Jones’ volunteer work in getting the bird prompt medical attention. For now, Blue Skies remains under veterinary and rescue supervision while caretakers weigh long-term options, and prosecutors have not released any additional public comment.
