Taxi driver arrested for killing pigeon in Japan

In a bizarre incident, a Tokyo taxi driver has been apprehended for intentionally mowing down a group of pigeons, resulting in the death of one bird.

The motive behind the act, as per police reports, was the driver's apparent frustration with the birds obstructing the roadway.

Atsushi Ozawa, 50, was taken into custody by Tokyo law enforcement on Sunday for violating wildlife protection laws after he deliberately accelerated into a flock of pigeons on November 13. Ozawa reportedly accelerated his taxi to a speed of 60 kilometers per hour immediately after a traffic light turned green, striking the birds on the road.

According to a spokesperson for the Tokyo police, Atsushi Ozawa used his vehicle to fatally injure a common pigeon, a species not considered game, leading to charges under wildlife protection regulations.

Following the incident, a passer-by, startled by the sound of the engine and the subsequent act, promptly reported it to the authorities. Subsequent investigations included a post-mortem examination conducted by a veterinarian, revealing the cause of death as traumatic shock suffered by the pigeon.

Ozawa's audacious statement to investigators, asserting that "roads belong to humans, so the pigeons should have gotten out of the way," was met with condemnation by law enforcement. Police labeled his actions as "highly malicious," particularly considering his professional role as a driver.

The arrest has sparked discussions on social media, with users expressing astonishment at the severity of the incident. One user questioned, "Wow, can you get arrested for running over a pigeon?" while another criticized Ozawa, suggesting he could have used less lethal means to address the situation, such as honking his car horn. The intentional killing of the pigeon was deemed by many as crossing ethical boundaries.