Italian Authorities Charging Michael Bay With Killing a Pigeon on Set of 6 UNDERGROUND Though He Denies Allegations
Director Michael Bay is known for his big blockbuster movies like Armageddon, the Transformers films, and most recently Ambulance, but his most recent headline is less movie-related, and more about recently filed charges against the director in Italy. It appears that the Italian authorities believe that when Bay was in the country in 2018 filming the Netflix hit 6 Underground, a pigeon was killed on his set.
Bay says he has tried several times to clear his name, and he denies all allegations. He made the following statement to The Wrap:
“I am a well-known animal lover and major animal activist. No animal involved in the production was injured or harmed. Or on any other production I’ve worked on
in the past 30 years.”
The report says that Italian authorities say a homing pigeon was killed during the 6 Underground production in Rome.
Pigeons are a protected species in Italy. Italy has a national law that makes it illegal to harm, kill or capture any wild bird, including pigeons. Pigeons are also protected in the E.U. under the Birds Directive.
According to an insider with knowledge of the production, a homing pigeon was allegedly killed by a dolly in the middle of a take in Rome. An unnamed individual who happened to be on set apparently witnessed the incident, took a picture and reported it to Italian authorities, the insider added.
Bay went on to say:
“We have clear video evidence,” Bay said, “a multitude of witnesses, and safety officers that exonerates us from these claims. And disproves their one paparazzi photo — which gives a false story. There is an ongoing court case so I cannot get into the specifics, but I am confident we will prevail when I have my day in court.”
He added:
“I was offered by the Italian authorities a chance to settle this matter by paying a small fine, but I declined to do so because I would not plead guilty to having harmed an animal.”
So I guess we will have to see how it pans out for Michael Bay. Pretty crazy to have this drag on for a pigeon! May he rest in peace.