A woman has gone viral online after being spotted taking her rather unusual rescue pet – a pigeon – for a walk.
Loreto Artigas Ortiz was casually walking in the streets with the bird, named Octavio, attached to a lead.
The woman, in her 50s, was out in her local town so that she could purchase a harness for Octavio when she was recorded by an onlooker.
READ MORE: Drunk man picks fight with python and loses until firefighters step in to rescue him
- Advertisement -
Since the video has been shared, Loreto has received lots of attention surrounding her pet bird, who she has cared for since it was small.
She has documented Octavio’s journey on social media, with her page boasting 10,000 followers.
“Octavio has become my company day after day,” Loreto, from Cerrillos, Chile, told What’s The Jam.
“He goes with me to the bathroom and is always on my shoulder or on my head.
“He’s already learned to have a routine and enjoys flying around the house everywhere.
- Advertisement -
“He eats clean food and drinks fresh water, and we go out for walks two to three times a day.
“At my home, I pamper this beautiful being more and more every day.
“I have taken him for his due check-ups and he is healthy inside and out.
- Advertisement -
“I give him his vitamins, and I take him out for a walk to sunbathe.”
Loreto – a grandmother-of-three – said she hopes to change people’s perceptions of pigeons and help them “look at them in a different way”.
She added: “I think that there is too much discrimination towards this beautiful species that helped humans so much in the past.”
Loreto’s interest in birds was triggered by hearing loss.
She lost her hearing at the age of 18 due to a virus, and was able to hear for the first time in decades after getting cochlear implants.
The first sound she heard once they had been activated was the chirping of birds, and she completely fell in love with the animals.
Viewers loved the viral clip of Octavio enjoying a walk.
Paloma commented: “I love the twist this video had and they show the real love story. Their tutor is wonderful and has taken care of Octavio from a little boy.”
Someone else wrote: “Pigeons are domesticated and very cute pets.”
“Love your story, I just read it, I wish there were more people like you willing to rescue and care for animals,” commented Alfonsina.
Carla added: “I love it!”
“All animals deserve respect,” said Karli.
READ MORE: Dog missing for seven weeks arrives home after epic 45-mile journey
