Film director and producer Michael Bay was charged with the killing of a pigeon while directing his 2019 Netflix film 6 Underground which was filmed in Italy in 2018.
According to TMZ, prosecutors claimed a homing pigeon was killed by a dolly while Bay was filming in Rome, where harming or killing wild birds is illegal.
They also claimed a person on set photographed the bird and alerted officials.
\u201cMichael Bay has been charged with killing a pigeon in Italy in 2018.\n\nBay denies the allegations, \u201cI am a well-known animal lover and major animal activist.\u201d\n\n(Source: https://t.co/iQilOdWrs5)\u201d— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) 1673564740
Sources, however, told TMZ all pigeons landed safely during filming.
One also said:
"Everyone knows Michael is an animal activist. This would never happen on his set."
"There are dozens of witnesses who said that this didn't happen."
Many on Twitter sided with Bay, and several pointed out—if it did actually happen—it was likely an accident.
Even if it’s true, it could be an accident, I really doubt someone like Michael Bay would do this on purpose (and this comes from someone who doesn’t like him)
— Sir Webber III (@realwebber77) January 13, 2023
If it was an accident what’s the big deal. But if he did it on purpose and like t0rtured it then I understand the issue with it
— jenna (@jennaplt) January 14, 2023
If it was an accident is not like he killed it.
— Mr.Floppy (@MrFloppy) January 13, 2023
For killing a bird? Reading the article he denies it but unless they can prove it was intentional. He needs to be left alone pic.twitter.com/Xv5kB7RnUe
— Aisyn's Disciple (@OnyxeBlade) January 14, 2023
Some also stated it's not a big deal given the pigeon population in many areas of the world, but each and every pigeon is protected in Italy.
It seems the majority, however, took to Twitter to entertain the idea the alleged avian tragedy transpired in true Bay fashion.
..did....did he blow it up?
...u all wanted to ask.
— Paul Nomad doesn't know how to use the 3 seashells (@nomadixxx) January 14, 2023
I mean he did it in the most Michael Bay way tho? pic.twitter.com/m6luGnIblP
— guapomole (@itscoreybighorn) January 14, 2023
Did the pigeon explode in atomic details with a weird camera close up shot?
— Pop Culturist (@joe_elsayed) January 12, 2023
The pigeon: pic.twitter.com/73wUyzd9tm
— ʎqsǝuuǝꓭ uɐ⅄ (@ybennesya) January 13, 2023
Did the pigeon die in one of his movies walking away slow mo from a massive explosion?
— Austin’s_Bestest_Girl (@satninknows) January 13, 2023
While Bay is not being accused of killing the pigeon himself, he is being charged because he was the director on the production.
Bay told The Wrap:
"I am a well-known animal lover and major animal activist."
"No animal involved in the production was injured or harmed."
"Or any other production I've worked on in the past 30 years."
Bay had the option to pay a fine, but he refused to plead guilty to injuring an animal.
