Good morning.  We are up over 400 signatures.  It is time to reach out to our state representatives and senators.  Attached is a sample letter you can use.  Please send out as many as you can.  Please add any personal thoughts and experiences, and pictures.  Thank you!

 

[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]

The Honorable [Representative’s Full Name]
[Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject: Request to Ban Pigeon Racing and Ceremonial Dove Releases in [State Name]

Dear Representative [Last Name],

I am writing to you today not only as a constituent, but as a human being deeply disturbed by two widespread and largely overlooked forms of animal cruelty that take place legally in our state: pigeon racing and the release of doves at funerals, weddings, and other events.

Though often marketed as wholesome tradition or innocent symbolism, these practices hide disturbing realities that result in the suffering, abandonment, and deaths of countless birds—all for entertainment, profit, or fleeting ceremony.

Pigeon Racing: A Hidden Industry of Death

Pigeon racing may seem like a harmless hobby to the public, but the reality is far darker. The birds are raised domestically.  They rely on their caretakers for food and water, allowed to fall in love, mate and have offspring.  Then the birds are trucked hundreds of miles away and released to frantically navigate their way home across unfamiliar and dangerous terrain. Many never make it. Some crash into buildings, are hit by vehicles, or collapse mid-air from exhaustion. Others are torn apart by predators or perish from dehydration and hunger along the way.  

In some races, especially those crossing long distances or challenging conditions, over 60% of birds do not survive the journey. These are not accidents—they are the expected casualties of the sport. These birds are often bred and trained like disposable machines, with little regard for their welfare. Pigeons who are too slow or don’t return are commonly culled—gassed, drowned, or simply killed outright, as they are no longer profitable.

Moreover, pigeon racing has been tied to illegal gambling, animal cruelty, and violations of wildlife protection laws, yet enforcement remains lax.

Shocking Mortality Rates

Pigeons used in racing events frequently die during training or competition flights. Many races require birds to fly hundreds of miles over unfamiliar and dangerous terrain, often in extreme heat, cold, wind, or rain.

A 2013 undercover investigation by PETA found that 60% or more of pigeons die in many races, especially long-distance or international events. In some cases, mortality rates exceeded 80%.
In a well-documented South African race, only 1,600 of the original 20,000 birds survived the training period and actual race—a staggering 92% death rate.
During the 2023 Philippines National Derby, over 40,000 birds were released; fewer than 7,000 returned.
These are not isolated incidents—they are common and often expected in the racing industry. Many birds perish from exhaustion, starvation, predators, collisions with buildings, or simply getting lost.

Cruel Practices Behind the Scenes

Pigeon racers routinely engage in harmful practices, including:

Culling (killing) birds deemed too slow, weak, or unprofitable. Methods often include suffocation, neck-breaking, or drowning.
Using “widowhood” training systems, where birds are intentionally separated from their mates or chicks to increase desperation and flight speed—causing psychological stress and suffering.
Breeding pigeons for unnatural speed, sacrificing their health and well-being for competitive advantage.

Gambling and Legal Loopholes

High-stakes betting is often tied to pigeon races:

Some races offer prize pools of $500,000 or more, fueling unethical breeding and training practices.
Illegal gambling rings tied to pigeon racing have been exposed in the U.S., Taiwan, and the UK.
Unlike horse or dog racing, pigeon racing is largely unregulated and operates outside most animal welfare laws. Pigeons receive no protection under the Animal Welfare Act, leaving them vulnerable to unchecked abuse.
Global Momentum for Reform

Countries such as Taiwan, where pigeon racing is widespread, have begun cracking down on the industry. Investigations by the international media have labeled some races as “death traps” due to catastrophic mortality rates. Public outcry has led to calls for reform and bans across multiple jurisdictions.

 

Here in the U.S., awareness is growing. States like New York and California have seen efforts to investigate and regulate pigeon racing, but more action is urgently needed to protect these intelligent, sentient animals who have served the human race as far back as World War I.

Dove Releases: A Death Sentence Disguised as Symbolism

The release of white doves—typically domesticated white pigeons or white ring-necked doves—is marketed as a symbol of peace, love, or the soul's ascension. Gender reveal doves are spray painted.  But what really happens after those doves are released into the sky?    They die.

While dove releases are often intended to symbolize peace, love, and remembrance, the reality is far more troubling. The birds used in these displays—usually white homing pigeons or white ringneck doves—are domesticated and lack the survival skills of their wild counterparts. When released, many of these birds become disoriented, fall prey to predators, or die from starvation, exhaustion, or injury.

Key Facts and Statistics:

A 2020 investigation by the animal welfare group PETA found that thousands of birds used in ceremonial releases die annually from exposure, predation, or starvation.
According to bird rescue organizations, up to 60% of released doves do not survive more than a few days after release.
White ringneck doves and homing pigeons lack natural camouflage and predator avoidance instincts, making them especially vulnerable in the wild.
Wildlife rehabilitators and shelters report a growing number of abandoned and injured white doves, particularly after weekends and holidays when such events are common.
Released birds often interfere with local ecosystems and can spread disease to native bird populations.
 These birds are bred in captivity and lack the natural instincts and survival skills of wild birds. Once released, they cannot fend for themselves. Many starve to death within days, freeze in cold temperatures, or are killed by predators due to their white color. It is common to find their fragile, broken bodies in parking lots, in trees, or near event venues after they are released. Sometimes they are so disoriented that they land and are run over by cars or attacked by domestic animals. Their deaths are not peaceful—they are slow, terrifying, and completely unnecessary.

 

In the name of brief symbolism and a photo opportunity, these birds are condemned to suffering that the audience never sees.

This practice is not only inhumane but also environmentally irresponsible. Several municipalities and even entire states, such as Connecticut and parts of Australia, have taken steps to limit or prohibit these releases due to their harmful consequences.

Many people who incorporate these releases into their events are likely unaware of the suffering involved. A legal ban would not only protect animals but also raise public awareness and encourage more humane alternatives such as symbolic gestures, biodegradable decorations, or virtual tributes.

The Call for Compassionate Policy

As our society grows more conscious of animal sentience and welfare, it is unacceptable that such cruelty continues in the shadows of our celebrations and sports. These practices are exploitative, outdated, and incompatible with the values of empathy and compassion that we should promote.

I urge you to introduce or support legislation that would:

Ban the practice of organized pigeon racing within the state, including transportation of pigeons for the purpose of racing, and associated gambling activities.
Prohibit the commercial or ceremonial release of domesticated birds, such as pigeons and doves, for weddings, funerals, graduations, gender reveals or other events.
Create penalties for individuals and businesses who engage in or promote these acts, and direct agencies to enforce existing animal cruelty laws in cases where harm is evident.
This is not a fringe issue. It is an ethical obligation. Just because a practice is traditional or profitable does not make it right. We have the power to say: no more lives lost for spectacle. No more suffering masked as sport or sentiment.

You can view the signatures and compelling comments at https://www.change.org/stoppigeonracing  Pictures are also attached.  

As a community that values both compassion and environmental responsibility, we should not allow these outdated practices to continue.

I urge you to support or introduce legislation that prohibits the commercial release of domesticated birds at public events, to ban pigeon racing, and to advocate for animal welfare practices that reflect our state’s values.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued service to our community. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue further.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your City, State]
[Email or Phone (optional)**]