Protect pigeons, and people who defend them, from abuse in parks and public places, by law

Protect pigeons, and people who defend them, from abuse in parks and public places, by law

Started
9 December 2020
Petition to
The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, MP (The Prime Minister) and 2 others
Signatures: 16,671Next Goal: 25,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by Sylvia Browning

Protect Pigeons, and People who defend them, from abuse in parks and public places, by law

Stop the persecution of pigeons.  It is against the law!

The image above shows a pigeon with the PDSA Dickin Medal with the inscription, “For Gallantry” and “We also serve”.  It was awarded to 32 carrier pigeons in recognition of their outstanding service and bravery in saving thousands of human lives, as messengers, during both World Wars. 

We ask the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and UK Government to enforce the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, to effectively stop the abuse of pigeons, and people who defend them, so that pigeon abuse becomes something which nobody does any longer.

All wild birds in England and Wales, including pigeons, are “protected” under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).  Under this Act, it is an offence to kill, injure or take any wild bird; take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird (while that nest is in use or being built); and take or destroy an egg of any wild bird. 

So, pigeon abuse is against the law.  You would never know it!  The Wildlife and Countryside Act is not enforced and pigeons are relentlessly kicked, chased and even stoned to death, often by children, in full view of adults. Anyone defending pigeons risks their own safety and are threatened or even attacked. Women are particularly at risk in this respect. This is completely unacceptable.

A Link to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is below -

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wildlife-and-the-law/wildlife-and-countryside-act/

A link to the Wildlife and Countryside Act, provided by the RSPB is below - 

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wildlife-and-the-law/wildlife-and-countryside-act/

Pigeon abuse is animal abuse.  It can lead to further abuse of animals and people. The boys who murdered Jamie Bulger had a history of animal abuse, for example.

My Petition link is below.  Please sign and share it. It currently has 15,795 signatures.

http://chng.it/SZjDqPJzDx

Hear the song, “Please be Nice to Pigeons”:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWbqyExGnGk

We all deserve parks and public places to be abuse-free, as they were, before 2001, when the awful era of pigeon abuse began.

The RSPCA says that anyone witnessing stoning/ kicking of pigeons should call the RSPCA Advice Control centre on 0300 1234 999.

Defra says that anyone who believes that a wildlife crime has been, or is being committed, should report the matter to the police. If the crime is in progress, they should call 999. If the crime has already happened, they should call 101. 

Crimes can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/ 

Currently, NOBODY with the power to protect pigeons, has acted to protect them.  Media denigration of pigeons must be replaced by a positive attitude, and abuse of pigeons must stop, so that EVERYONE can enjoy parks and public places safely.

Pigeon abuse began when a London Mayor banned pigeons from Trafalgar Square, and stopped people feeding them in 2001. Hitherto, pigeons had been loved as war heroes, who saved thousands of human lives during both World Wars, as messengers.   Today, pigeons help in vital communication and sea rescue, as their brilliant eyesight enables them to see colours at a great distance.

The rumour that pigeons are a “health hazard”, is declared untrue by vets and the RSPB.  

Notices denigrating pigeons lead to yet more persecution, and should be removed. 

Pigeon houses could be built, to protect pigeons and enable them to provide guano, which is highly prized by organic farmers and gardeners. This would give pigeons a new new role in a greener world for us all. 

Pigeons are gentle and intelligent.  They can identify letters of the alphabet, have brilliant homing and navigational skills and make excellent parents to their young.  They helped save our nation during its darkest days of war.  Like us, they are only trying to survive. 

Our parks and public places would be safer and more enjoyable for everyone, if pigeons were not abused there.  

CCTV cameras should be installed in parks and public places to identify and fine anyone who abuses pigeons, and to provide a new source of revenue for those who helpfully install and manage the cameras, and to make pigeon abuse become a nightmare of the past.

Many signatories have commented on at least 155 updates that can be seen by selecting the "Updates" tab and selecting "Previous" or "Next" under the discussion that follows each update, and signatories have also provided at least 326 reasons for signing that can be seen by selecting the Comments tab and selecting "Load more" below each group of comments. So, if you read what people have said on this petition, you should appreciate why it is so important not to allow pigeon abuse to continue into the future. 

We ask the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the U.K. Government to enforce the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, to effectively stop the abuse of pigeons, and people who defend them, so that pigeon abuse becomes something which nobody does any longer.

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Signatures: 16,671Next Goal: 25,000
Support now
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Decision-Makers

  • The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, MPThe Prime Minister
  • The Rt Hon Steve Barclay MPSecretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
  • The Rt Hon James Cleverly MPHome Secretary