Petition Tag - pigeons

Wycombe District Council are taking action to reduce the number of pigeons in the town's center. They are going to be using Hawks to prevent persistent roosting and to move pigeons to other areas.

But they also plan to trap and "humanely" kill the pigeons. The pigeons' crime is fouling on buildings and pavements. Hardly a offence worthy of execution.

Council say they have looked into other methods. But this method had proven to be ineffective in other areas. Non lethal humane methods should be used.

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The inhumane culling methods used in pigeon control include:

1. Shooting. This leaves the majority of birds wounded.

2. Poisoning. Is not only a slow and painful death but also effects other animals in the food chain.

Scientific research shows that these methods are completely ineffective as other birds take over the area within days.

Pest control companies are aware of this but continue to promote this practice as it creates more business.

Humane methods include spikes and wire systems which prevent roosting and nesting.

Feeding by people is also a major problem. The more abundant the food source the more pigeons breed. So educating the public is also important.

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This is a petition for abolishing the law in Venice (Italy) that forbids people to feed pigeons in the WHOLE city and if one is caught throwing crumbs to the birds is fined. The Venetian community has also ordered the killing of hundreds of pigeons.

The purpose of this law is to reduce the number of pigeons in order to protect the historical monuments, but to reduce it by letting the pigeons die of starvation or by killing them is cruel and inhuman. The historical monuments could be protected in different ways, e.g. by fixing spines or wires on the buildings that prevent pigeons from perching on them and by cleaning the monuments regularly with water. Pigeons could also be fed with sterilizing medicines so that their number remained under control.

Regarding the common fears that pigeons could be dangerous for public health, expert vets (e.g. Enrico Moriconi, President ASVeP –Onlus – Cultural Veterinary Association for Public Health, Torino and Roberto Nisini, Superior Institute of Public Health, Rome) in their articles published on the internet prove that they pose absolutely no danger for public health.

The law against pigeons is based only on wrong preconceptions and a hatred for the birds which unfortunately is shared by many Italian people.

The target of this petition is to defend animal rights and abolish this harsh law. This law is unfair not only to animals but also to animal lovers who are punished for showing compassion to the birds by feeding them -in other words, for their acts of kindness and love. This is a law against PERSONAL FREEDOM as it does not allow people who love animals to practice their beliefs and express their good feelings towards birds. It is therefore against both ANIMAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS. The purpose of law is to eliminate evil, but instead of serving that purpose, the Venetian law in question incriminates innocent people and causes endless suffering to birds. In Venice there are not many trees and seeds so the birds cannot survive easily without the help of sensitive people.

Pigeons are the tamest and friendliest birds. They offer joy to many people, especially to old lonely people, tourists who feel welcomed by the friendly Venetian birds (which have been a tourist attraction for many years), and children who invite them to eat from their hands. Because of their innocence, pigeons are traditionally associated with peace and spirituality. During the world-wars they were also used for carrying important messages and saved the lives of many people.

These beautiful birds and the sensitive people who care for animals (which are weak and defenseless) deserve our help and support. This harsh law that is against animal and human rights should be abolished.

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