Pigeons apparently used in illegal racing dumped in Indiana

WOLCOTT, Ind. (AP) - Police say dozens of pigeons were found packaged in cardboard boxes in an Indiana dumpster and they'll be put up for adoption in the coming weeks.

State police issued a statement Thursday about the Dec. 10 discovery, saying Trooper David Vido found the boxes after responding to an early-morning call. They were at a rest stop in White County along Interstate 65, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) northwest of Indianapolis.

Fifty-seven pigeons were found. They're believed to have been used in an illegal pigeon gambling race where the birds' wings are clipped and they race around a track. Police say five were dead and two others died later.

Wildlife rehabilitators Kim Hoover of Pulaski County and Kelly Thomas of "A Critters Chance" are credited for helping police with the birds.