PIGEON ABUSE AND THE LANGUAGE OF HATRED AND PREJUDICE
We want cruelty to pigeons to stop, together with the horrific branding of pigeons as “vermin” or “flying rats”. This is the language of hatred and prejudice. It leads to abuse of pigeons - our most vulnerable members of society.
Everyone wants to feel safe in parks and public places, but when pigeons are abused, public areas feel threatening and unsafe.
Pigeons saved thousands of human lives during both World Wars. They risked their lives for us and our nation during its darkest days of war, and were awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for their outstanding wartime service and bravery. Let’s never forget that fact.
15,568 people have signed this petition to protect pigeons, and people who defend them, from abuse. See petition link below. Please read the hundreds of comments, from people who want the abuse stopped.
Pigeon abuse is animal abuse. It is against the law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This law is not enforced - and so the abuse goes on.
There is no justification for cruelty to pigeons, such as kicking, chasing and stoning to death. It is shocking to see, and often leads to further abuse and more violence in society. I was threatened in a park for defending a pigeon from abuse. It was terrifying.
Let’s respect pigeons, just like other birds. Pigeons are beautiful, intelligent and peaceful. They have every right to be here and deserve a life worth living.
Currently, pigeon abuse is ignored by everyone with the power to stop it. My MP had promised to speak about pigeon abuse in Parliament, but is now silent, as is the government.
Please share this petition. If your MP holds surgeries, tell them about this petition. Government needs to know that stopping this cruelty matters to thousands of people.
Further contacts -
- Contact Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, and ask her to stop pigeon persecution and abuse, the most cruel form of antisocial behaviour -
privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gov.uk
- Ask the Prime Minister to enforce the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which “protects” all wild birds.
The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP,
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street. London SW1A 2AA.
- Ask the Rt Hon Therese Coffey, Secretary of State for DEFRA, to enforce the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
- Tell your MP that we need a debate in Parliament about pigeon abuse - and an full independent Public Enquiry.
- Contact HM The King.
Say that women who defend pigeons are often threatened. The Queen has an interest in protecting women from abuse.
His Majesty The King
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
- Ask the Department for Education to teach children kindness to pigeons specifically on the National Curriculum.
https://www.gov.uk/contact-dfe
- Ask the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, (Prince William and Kate), to teach children to respect pigeons.
https://royalfoundation.com/early-childhood/
- Contact social media, newspapers, TV, schools, colleges.
- Share this petition with RSPB, RSPCA, PETA, ASWA, Animal Aid, Royal British Legion, National Trust etc.
- Hear the song, “Please be Nice to Pigeons”:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWbqyExGnGk
- Read “In Defence of Pigeons” which describes the plight of pigeons today, following the spiteful media campaign against them, which began in 2001. Hitherto, pigeons had been loved as heroes and lifesavers of war.
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/in-defence-of-pigeons?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB
- Share this petition on mumsnet -
Pigeon abuse must become something which nobody does any longer. Let’s consign it to history.
Please help pigeons to have a life worth living.