May 20, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. –- Following the theft of about 50 parakeets from his Massachusetts pet store, David Rattner says he’s most concerned about the well being of the birds, who could die if not properly cared for by whoever stole them.

“It’s just so frickin’ stupid,” a frustrated Rattner told Pet Pulse. “They got parakeets that, what are you going to do with them? You can’t sell them. I mean, it’s just senseless.”

The break-in happened about 10 p.m. Sunday at Dave’s Soda & Pet City in Springfield. Rattner owns four such stores in the state, and says they have been burglarized dozens of times during his 33 years in business. In the past, expensive birds or snakes have been stolen.

This incident, though, is most puzzling, he says.

“It’s one thing if they were going to come in and steal a $1,000 parrot or something expensive that they could sell or something. But parakeets? I just don’t know.

“We had way more expensive birds in the store.”

Asked what that tells him about whomever is responsible, Rattner said flatly, “They’re idiots.”

Witnesses told police the man smashed through the front window of the store, grabbed two cages full of the birds, loaded them into a small blue car and drove off.

Police dusted for fingerprints yesterday and got one clean print that could be helpful to their investigation, they said.

Meanwhile, Rattner is worried that the birds are in danger.

“Parakeets are pretty frail,” he said. “We’re in Massachusetts, it’s not summer out yet. It probably went down to the 40s last night, or the 50s. So unless someone knows what’s going to happen, the birds will die.

“They need a stable temperature, somewhere between 60 and 70 degrees. The witness said they saw them flying around the guy’s car. So you tell me, how’s he going to get them out of the car into a house?”

Asked if he had a practical message for whomever is responsible, Rattner said, “No, because it doesn’t matter. You’re dealing with people who risked going to jail to steal something stupid, break in.

“So these people aren’t practical. It’s like telling a drug addict smoking’s not good for you.”

Information and tips on this case can be directed to Dave's Soda & Pet City at 413-789-2259.

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