BY VINAYA SAKSENA

CENTRAL FALLS — Police have yet to identify a suspect in recent incidents that saw dead birds showing up in bags on a church’s doorstep, though pigeons appear to have been relatively safe in the city since police began investigating.

Last week, police reported speaking to a witness at St. Joseph’s Church about dead birds that were allegedly found outside the church on at least three occasions. Police have since indicated that with detectives busy investigating recent youth shootings in the city, Animal Control Officer Joseph Bolvin would be investigating the gruesome bird slayings.
For his part, Bolvin said he had been to the church and checked on activities in the area, but found no evidence of further problems.
“I’ve done some follow-up on it,” Bolvin said. “So far, nothing’s been going on over there.”
It was unclear whether or not the reported incidents of dead pigeons found on the church’s doorstep were related, according to police. Church officials had reportedly speculated that someone may have been trying to send them a sign by leaving the bird bodies. However, Bolvin said that while no motive had been determined, he suspected little more than a rash of cruel pranks.
Police Lieutenant Rene Ogni told the Times last week that the area of St. Joseph’s Church had also been the site of purse snatchings in recent weeks. However, those incidents were not believed to be related to the bird slayings, and no suspects had been identified by police in those incidents as of press time.