17-04-2025
Petland Indian Ringneck bird thief has history of animal theft charges
A College Hill man accused of stealing three rare exotic birds from multiple Cincinnati-area Petland stores has a history of stealing animals, court documents show.
Dontas McCoy, 44, pleaded guilty April 10 in Fairfield Municipal Court to stealing two of the birds, a court official said. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 100 of those days suspended. He also was ordered to stay away from Petland and Jungle Jim's properties, according to court records.
On March 31, officials say McCoy stole an Indian Ringneck bird from the Petland near Jungle Jim's in Fairfield.
Two days later, on April 2, McCoy stole a second Indian Ringneck from the Petland in Mason. The birds can cost up to $1,000 each.
Then on April 4, according to Hamilton County court documents, McCoy stole a third Indian Ringneck from the Petland in Symmes Township.
He was arrested the same day.
McCoy's criminal history dates back to the 1990s and includes animal abuse and theft charges, including a 2014 conviction for stealing a chihuahua from Animal House, a pet store in Mount Healthy. In 2016, court documents say McCoy stole a bird feeder from the Meijer in Colerain Township.
McCoy is serving his sentence at the Butler County Jail. The Hamilton County case involving the theft from the Petland in Symmes Township is still pending.
In a news release, Petland stated that the birds have all been returned to their stores, and although "stressed from the ordeal" they are healthy and being cared for by staff members.
'They are in good physical shape going back and forth from food to perch, but staff has noticed they are a bit skittish around people,' said Petland Communications Director Maria Smith.
'Previously they had been more comfortable with people, and the staff is working with them to rebuild that trust," Smith said. "All in all, they are doing well and will do well when they eventually go home with their forever families.'
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Petland Indian Ringneck bird thief has history of animal theft charges
