According to the Danville Register Bee, residents in the town of Chatham, West Virginia have complained about the intimidating nature of the vulture that have been roosting in the area. One report says one of the birds attacked a resident's dog.
In an effort to have the scavengers move on, the USDA is using techniques that seem better suited for the 4th of July. Pyrotechnics called "screamers" and "bangers" will be used in an attempt to scare off the vultures.
Chad Fox, a wildlife biologist with the USDA in Christiansburg, West Virginia, told the paper that the birds could pose a threat to farmers as they have been known to attack calves, and newborn goats and lambs.
This is the latest attempt from the USDA to control a bird population. Last month residents in the New York tri-state area became concerned when dead European starlings began appearing on lawns and houses. However, it was discovered that the dead birds were the result of poisoning by the agriculture department.
