When living in any major metropolitan area, it’s common to find large groups of pigeons. It’s also common to be on the lookout for petty thieves or bandits looking to start trouble or steal some cash from you.

It is not as common, however, for these two things to be one and the same. Yet that’s exactly what happened to Trisha Kiels yesterday afternoon in Chicago.

While Kiels was walking innocently to catch a local bus, she found herself suddenly surrounded by a group of pigeons. Though she was annoyed, she never expected what happened next. The group began to surround her, some flying up to peck at her pockets and others to flap their wings in her face and render her weak, sightless and vulnerable.

According to Kiels, the attacked seemed to last for hours, though it was only in reality a little under a minute. While some birds pecked at her pockets and forced her to give them everything she had on her, others made the both menacing and annoying “purring” sound pigeons are famous for.

Kiels was terrified.

The City of Chicago Police Department has admit that this strange incident is not an isolated one. Many people have reported being suddenly attacked by these feathered creatures. The biggest mystery for both police and victims alike is, simply, why would pigeons want large sums of stolen cash? This question has led police to believe that these birds work for some evil, bird-training human who rewards them with feed.

While investigators continue to search for answers, the police have issued some basic safety precautions to avoid run ins with these dangerous birds.

1.Always be on the lookout. If you see a solitary pigeon, he/she could be the lookout bird for a possible attack.
2.Run towards them and kick with all your might. Make self-defense a game! See if you can kick the winged rat before they can fly away!
3.Always carry food on you. Despite their seeming love for cash, these birds can’t help themselves if you throw some bread crumbs or bird seed their way. Keep in mind they’re dangerous and likely hungry, and their instincts will usually overtake any training they may have.
4.Always report an incident to the police. A pigeon attack is not your fault! You did not ask for it with how you were dressing or what neighborhood you were walking in at a particular time of day. These birds are ignorant thugs who need to be stopped, so never blame yourself for whatever may have happened.