No jail for racing pigeon owner who killed hawks

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- A second Connecticut racing pigeon enthusiast has been sentenced to a year of probation for his role in capturing and killing federally protected hawks.

U.S. District Judge Robert Chatigny on Tuesday also ordered Adam Boguski, 44, of Stamford, to perform 60 hours of community service and pay a $250 fine.

Boguski and a co-defendant, Thomas Kapusta, 63, systematically lured at least 11 hawks into a trap and shot them because they felt the raptors were a threat to the approximately 100 pigeons they co-owned, prosecutors said.

Bogusski pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to take, capture and kill red-tailed hawks and Cooper's hawks, and two counts of taking, capturing and killing Cooper's hawks. 

A judge sentenced Kapusta in October to a year of probation and 90 hours of community service.