Dead birds left at DC subways

WASHINGTON, DC - It was a frightening sight for some commuters in the nation's capital, after a pest control company hired to kill pigeons around city subway entrances did not follow policy and left the dead birds behind, the Associated Press reports.

Dozens of bird carcasses were reported after the poison was left at about noon on Sunday, leading the FBI and local hazardous materials crews to investigate. The scare briefly caused six stations to close, said Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority spokeswoman Candace Smith.

Smith said the contractor was supposed to place the poison during late-night or early morning hours, and then wait to do the cleanup before moving to the next station. A commercial pest poison was quickly pinpointed as the cause. No human injuries were reported.

Dixon’s Pest Control did not immediately return a call Monday from The Associated Press. The contract with Dixon’s is on hold while the agency investigates, Smith said.