Filmmaker Michael Bay faces charges in Italy over the killing of a pigeon on the set of the 2018 film 6 Underground, news website TheWrap reports.
Bay has tried several times over the years to clarify the case with the Italian authorities, but was unsuccessful.
The 57-year-old once again categorically rejected the allegations last week.
Bay has told TheWrap that no animal has ever been harmed on any of the productions he's worked on in the past 30 years.
"I'm a well-known animal lover and a huge animal activist," said the 'Transformers' director.
Bay is accused of having overseen and killed a carrier pigeon while he was filming his film.
An anonymous person photographed the incident and forwarded the image to the Italian authorities.
According to another person, a group of pigeons and a wind machine were being used for the scene when the alleged accident happened.
"TheWrap" refers to anonymous sources who worked on the set.
Protected species in Italy
Pigeons are a protected species in Italy. A law prohibits injuring, killing or capturing wild birds (including pigeons).
Pigeons are also protected by the Birds Directive in the European Union.
Since Bay is in charge of filming, he should have supervised the handling of animals.
He is now accused of violating this duty, as his lawyer Fabrizio Sigma announced.
Bay insists that no animal was harmed under his supervision.
"We have clear video evidence," Bay said, "and a multitude of witnesses and security officials who exonerate us from these allegations.
And they refute the one paparazzi photo that tells a false story.” Since the court case is still ongoing, he cannot reveal any details.
court case is ongoing
His legal team has tried three times in the past year to negotiate the case in court.
The Italian authorities offered Bay a small fine, which he declined.
"I didn't want to plead guilty to harming an animal with a payment," Bay said.
He now hopes to be able to clarify things at his hearing in court, he said.