Manhattan, NY – NYPD Transportation Chief Michael Scagnelli has been told he can no longer fill his office with a startling collection of animal trophies.
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Scagnelli, an avid hunter, was told his taxidermy trophies – bison, birds, elk, deer, a cougar or a leopard and monkey – had to be taken down when he moved into a new office in Police Headquarters at One Police Plaza.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, who gave the order, also said Scagnelli would have to pay movers to cart the offending wildlife out of his 11th-floor offices.
Scagnelli is popular among the rank-and-file, but some of the Police Headquarters honchos aren't fans of his stuffed trophies.
"It's offensive," one source said. "This is city property and the guy is extolling killing.
"Going to his office was like going to the Museum of Natural History. And it wasn't just his private office, it was in the outer office, too, where everyone else had their desks. There was a gigantic bird on someone's desk," the source said.
Other cops said booting the beasts was a prime example of what they called Kelly's micromanaging.
"If traffic deaths are down, which they are, what does it matter what he has up on the walls? He does the job."
The only "animal" left in the office is a talking deer head from famed toy store FAO Schwarz that sings a variety of tunes.
"This can be a grim job," another source said. "What's wrong with a little humor?" [NY Daily News]
Those animals belong there as a reminder that the streets of NYC are still full of dangerous vilde chayes – and that most of its politicians are stupid beheimes!
To most people it would create a relaxed atmosphere. (I can just imagine. Wasn’t there) However, some people [who deal with the Chief on a daily basis] are extremely offended by a wildlife display. The Commish. was just looking for an opportunity to express his disapproval.