This petition calls for Adur and Worthing Councils to remove cruel and ineffective bird netting from all public areas within its jurisdiction. 

Many residents are increasingly upset and concerned about pigeons becoming trapped and dying a terrifying, painful and lingering death in this awful netting, particularly in the Montague Centre, where there are currently many carcasses of pigeons who have been unable to escape. 

Section 1 (1) (a) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act makes it an offence to intentionally kill or injure any wild bird. Ergo the presence of netting that is well documented to trap, injure and kill pigeons- and is doing exactly that- constitutes an offence under this legislation. 

Furthermore, it is deeply unpleasant and surely a health hazard to leave the carcasses of these birds to rot directly above a very busy thoroughfare. Some of the dead birds have been there for many months, despite the council being made aware of this ongoing issue.

Approximately three months ago I phoned the council to inform them of a live pigeon who was trapped, and appeared very distressed. I also notified them of several dead pigeons. Despite assurances that action would be taken, nothing was done to help the live bird (who was eventually assisted by locals at risk to their own safety) and the dead bird remains. 

The council has a responsibility to maintain the netting and make regular checks to free any trapped birds. Adur and Worthing Councils have consistently failed this obligation, and are causing needless suffering and death to sentient beings as a result.

Although much maligned and misunderstood, pigeons are wonderful creatures- friendly, harmless and far more intelligent than many realise. They only exist in our towns and cities because they have been domesticated and exploited by humans, and cast out into an environment that is inhospitable to them once no longer deemed of use. 

With their exceptional navigational skills pigeons were used during the World Wars to transport vital messages- often under fire- helping the Allied Forces win. For the state to repay their loyalty and bravery by making their already-difficult lives that much harder is shameful and abhorrent.