Cameron J. Mason, 22 of Adairville, was arraigned in a Logan Circuit Court Thursday on an extortion charge for holding a 25-year-old Macaw bird (Ziggy) for ransom, that later died and for first degree criminal mischief pertaining to the bird’s shooting. The second defendant in the case, Le’Var L. Mason, 21, wasn’t able to appear in court due to his incarceration in another county. He is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 29.

According to the bird-owner’s mother, Iris Doty, the bird got loose in Adairville on a day in May 2008 when she was visiting from Georgetown to help a family member move furniture. Doty said the bird had flown up into a large tree where it could not be retrieved.

Doty reported when she left to go back home she let it be known she was offering $100 reward for the safe return of Ziggy. Doty said she was called back to Adairville before she reached home by Le’Var Mason who informed her he had the bird.

According to Doty, after she arrived back in Adairville Mason told her she could not get the bird back without paying $1,000. Doty said she told Mason she didn’t have that kind of money but $200 was offered and he accepted.

The bird was returned but was very ill said Doty who claims after a veterinary visit and x-rays that the bird was shot with a pellet gun and was in need of emergency surgery in Lexington. The bird later died on the way.

“I don’t understand why someone would want to do something like this,” said Doty. “This was an act of greedy people who don’t care about who or what they hurt. I miss her so bad. I just don’t understand why someone would be so cruel. I know the jails are full and I hate seeing anyone go to jail but I do believe these men need to pay in some way for what they have done.”

The bird was valued at between $2,500 and $3,000.