Michael Bay Slams ‘False’ Pigeon Story

The report cited a production insider who claimed a homing pigeon was allegedly killed by a dolly during a take, and because Bay was the director, he was held responsible. They also reported that he had made several attempts to clear the case with Italian authorities.

Bay told the outlet in a statement he is a “well-known animal lover and major animal activist” and that “no animal involved in the production was injured or harmed. Or on any other production I’ve worked on in the past 30 years”. He added that they have “clear video evidence, a multitude of witnesses, and safety officers that exonerates us from these claims.”

Now, in the legal letter, Bay’s attorney Mathew Rosengart has reportedly demanded an “immediate retraction or correction” and has slammed the original report as “false, reckless and defamatory”. He says that Bay was “never accused, much less ‘charged,’ with ‘killing’ an animal”, and the outlet was “demonstrating actual malice and reckless disregard of the truth.”

Rosengart adds that ahead of publishing the story, The Wrap was notified of “video evidence rebutting these allegations and demonstrating that at no time was any animal harmed, let alone ‘killed’.” He adds that the story has been “extremely damaging to Mr. Bay personally and professionally… and has tarnished his reputation as someone who fiercely supports animals, financially and otherwise, causing him extreme anguish.”

Bay’s attorney says that the only “charge” in Italy “concerns whether, in his capacity as the film’s director, Mr. Bay failed to properly supervise crew members (whom he did not even have the ability to hire) responsible for handling the animals on set.” He says that charge is being “vigorously defended” and Bay feels “so strongly” about the charge against him that he “refused to settle the case” despite being offered a fine by authorities to resolve it.