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I was at a large chain Pet Store the other day, hunting for items I need for our incoming Caique in the next little while. As I was looking around, and on my way to visit the resident Caique around the corner, I came upon two 10 or 11 year olds violently jabbing at a Cockatoo and trying to pull her feathers. They were laughing hysterically at how upset she was and they squealed even louder when she tried to nip them and defend herself.

I cannot describe the rage I felt. I had absolutely no idea how to react. I know this happens all the time, and further re-enforces how I feel about any animals being kept in a pet store. But for the life of me I couldn't decide what to do. I just froze. I stood there for a minute, and I'm sure I couldn't hide how I was feeling in my face. They looked up at me only briefly, took no notice or shame in what they were doing, and went back to attacking her, one of them saying "Get her in the eye", between cursing and swearing at her.

The store was actually a little crowded, and it took me a minute to realize in horror that the 2 people standing next to them watching what they were doing the whole time were THEIR PARENTS. My revulsion turned to them. They had the blankest, emptiest expressions on their faces. They did absolutely nothing. They didn't even look ashamed, they just stood there.

I feel like I should have said something. I was so in shock I had no idea what to say or which party to say it to. Is there a universal code for this? Would I have been over the line to say something? I feel like it wouldn't have been, but you never know how a parent would take the kind of criticism I was ready to give. I looked around to find someone who worked there, but I couldn't find one around the crowd. Luckily when I moved around to see the Caique I guess I was crowding their "game" and they decided to go away. But what about next time? Has anyone else had this type of experience before?

I know how uncaring some parents can be. I was in my local Petco one night talking to an african grey that they had. As a woman and her two or three kids walked by they pointed at the bird and kind of put their fingers up to the cage. The mom said "put your fingers in there" You can bet she would be the first to sue if the bird bit them. I get so annoyed with people who don't try to teach their children how to behave with animals. I just hope those kids don't have any pets at home. I personally would have said something to them and if that didn't work I would have gotten a manager. Of course, they sometimes don't want to offend the customer. But their first concern should be the welfare of that bird.

But then, I am the crazy lady who yelled at the boys at the campground who were flinging little snakes up in the air using tree branches. They thought it was funny. I cannot imagine how a snake might feel when it goes flying through the air and hits a tree or rock as it hits the ground. I just did not see the amusement in that.

I'd have been yelling at them and their parents while moving between them and the cage. Just one of many reasons I've avoided pet stores for the last ten years. I buy online and protest the chains online every chance I get.

Step one:

Pull out a hankie

Step two:

Ask their parents if they are aware of all the bird flu and parrot fever going around.

Step three:

Tell the parents ... Boy you sure are trusting to let your wonderful children around birds on account of all the bird flu and parrot fever that is going around.

Step three:

Laugh your ass off when they go running out of there never to buy a bird or even be around them again on "account of all the bird flu and parrot fever" rofl.............

Tell them it would be better for your children to have pit bulls and boxers because they are less contagious, no really... ha ha ha (under your breath you will hope that at least they can stick up for themselves when these brats decide to torment another animal)

First of all.. LOL thinking of the parents running off and buying a pit bull!

I have no tact or manners it seems, because I'd be telling the kids to stop being cruel, probably even begun a long lecture aimed at both the children and their parents.

Maybe a good in between would be simply asking the kids if they knew how hard a bird that size can bite, and that they were asking to lose a finger?

Whaty about the staff at this shop? IMHO it is their responsibility to be sure that ANY animal/bird that the public can access should be placed in an area where they can be supervised at all times. I would have found an employee and made noise until the bird was moved to a safe area. And would have followed that up with an official complaint.

Patti

Sorry,
I would have ripped into them. No animal should be tormented like that and if I was the only person standing there that new better, I would have to say something. I cannot tolerate it when parents are so stupid as to let their children treat animals that way. If they learn that sort of behavior is ok, its not much of a stretch to think that they won't take other human being's feelings into account as they grow older. Children need to learn that animals, even tiny insects, are the creatures we share our earth with and are integural parts of our lives whether we are aware or not. We are all responsible for helping others learn how to treat each other and even the tiniest creatures among us.
I may have a stronger feeling of duty too, because, as a certified vet tech, I took an oath to protect and help animals. I will stop along roadsides and pick up injured animals and take them to the appropriate place. Last weekend I made my hubby stop to I could get my hands on a loose Rotweiler. Thankfully, she didn't mind as I placed her front, then her hind end into the backseat of our car. This poor dog almost got hit by a car 3 times from the moment we saw her until I was able to contain her. Then we drove down to the nearest house and that was her home.
I guess I would start out nice and ask the kids if they would appreciate some giant creature poking and picking at them. The whole, do unto others things sometimes works really well.

ohhhhhhh, I would be in jail. I would have been screaming like an idiot. I try not to use chain pet stores, I buy thru an avairy in the area., better she should make the profit than some idiot sitting on a deck chair in the bahamas with a tart on his lap!!!!