Soccer kick kills pigeon during Argentina game

[December 19, 2008]  BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Argentine soccer player Gaston Aguirre killed a pigeon with a single shot -- right off his foot. "I kicked the ball and, poor pigeon," the San Lorenzo defender said. "Now I will be remembered as the pigeon killer."

Aguirre hit the bird in the 2-1 victory against Tigre in a three-team round-robin for the Argentine league title. Surrounded by opponents, he kicked the ball toward the goal and in the direction of a group of pigeons on the grass near the corner.

A burst of feathers followed and the pigeons flew away -- except one.

Several players surrounded the wounded bird as it tried to fly away but it collapsed. Referee Saul Laverni then scooped up the dead pigeon and placed it off the field.

In 2007, golf pro Tripp Isenhour killed a protected hawk with a shot while filming an instructional video in Florida. He was charged with animal cruelty and killing a migratory bird and pleaded no contest.

In 2001, Arizona pitcher Randy Johnson killed a dove when the bird flew in the way of a fastball during a spring training game.

In 1983, New York Yankees outfielder Dave Winfield killed a seagull with a warmup throw during a game in Toronto. Winfield was charged with animal cruelty; the charge was later dropped.

[Associated Press]

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