Michael Bay accused of killing pigeons in Netflix film 6 Underground during filming in Italy …
Director Michael Bay found himself in legal trouble across the pond, as he was accused of killing pigeons in the 2019 Netflix film 6 Underground.
The 57-year-old actor is facing charges over an incident in 2018 while filming 6 Underground in Rome, in which a pigeon was allegedly killed by a dolly, according to The Wrap.
The director – who is said to have ‘busted’ Eiza Gonzalez while filming his latest film Ambulance – has flatly denied the allegations.
Legal issues: Director Michael Bay found himself in legal trouble across the pond, as he was accused of killing pigeons in the 2019 Netflix film 6 Underground.
Dead pigeon: The 57-year-old actor is facing charges in a 2018 incident while filming 6 Underground in Rome, in which a pigeon was allegedly killed by a dolly, according to The Wrap
‘I am a known animal lover and a big animal activist,’ the director said in a statement.
‘No animals involved in the production were harmed or injured. Or any other production I’ve worked on in the past 30 years,” he said.
The report added that Bay has been trying to, ‘clear the case with the Italian authorities for years’ but has yet to do so.
Celebrity: ‘I’m a well-known animal lover and a big animal activist,’ says director in a statement
Unclear: The report added that Bay has been trying to ‘clear the case with the Italian authorities for years’ but has yet to do so.
Italian authorities say a homing pigeon died during a photo shoot in Rome.
An official also said that the dolly killed the homing pigeon while making the arrest.
An unnamed person on the show reportedly witnessed the incident and took pictures, which he sent to Italian authorities.
Video: Italian authorities say a homing pigeon has died during a production in Rome
Pigeons are a protected species in Italy and national laws prohibit the killing, harming or catching of pigeons, or any other wild bird.
Regarding the photos sent to the Italian authorities, Bay says they have evidence against the charges.
‘We have clear video evidence, numerous witnesses and security officers who clear us of these claims. And deny their paparazzi photos – which give the wrong story,’ says Bay.
Protected: Pigeons are a protected species in Italy and there is a national law that prohibits the killing, harming or capturing of pigeons, or any other wild bird.
Michael argues: Regarding the photos sent to the Italian authorities, Bay says they have evidence against the accusations.
The director added: ‘There’s an ongoing court case, so I can’t talk about the details, but I’m confident we’ll win when I have my day in court.’
Bay was offered the option to settle the case and pay a small fine, but reportedly refused and has made three separate attempts to have the case dismissed.
‘The Italian authorities offered me the chance to settle the matter by paying a small fine, but I declined because I would not plead guilty to animal cruelty, Bay explained.
Confident: The director added: ‘There’s an ongoing court case so I can’t talk about the details, but I’m confident we’ll win when it’s my day in court’
