Children should not be encouraged or allowed to kick pigeons because it causes unnecessary suffering to a living animal and can have negative effects on both the birds and the children. Many countries already have animal welfare laws that make deliberately harming animals, including wild birds, illegal.

Some of the main reasons include:

• IT CAUSES PAIN AND INJURY.

A kick can easily break a pigeon's wings, legs, or internal organs. Even if the bird flies away, it may later die from its injuries. (https://www.facebook.com/share/1BRLkjPHcp/

• PIGEONS ARE SENTIENT ANIMALS.

Scientific evidence shows that birds experience pain, fear, and stress. Deliberately hurting them causes avoidable suffering. 

• IT TEACHES EMPATHY.

Teaching children to respect wildlife helps develop compassion and responsibility. Allowing cruelty toward animals can undermine those values. 

• IT PROTECTS PUBLIC SPACES.

Chasing and kicking birds can create disturbances in parks, shopping areas, and other public places, and may put people at risk if children run unpredictably. 

• IT SUPPORTS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.

Pigeons are part of urban ecosystems. While populations sometimes need to be managed, this should be done humanely, not through acts of cruelty. 

• IT REINFORCES RESPECT FOR THE LAW.

Where animal cruelty laws apply, intentionally harming birds can result in penalties. Teaching children to treat animals kindly helps them understand and follow the laws. (CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF ADELAIDE, Local Government Land By-law 2024 - 4.19.4: TAKE, INTERFERE WITH, TEASE, HARM OR DISTURB ANY ANIMAL, BIRD, MARINE CREATURE OR INSECT OR THE EGGS OR YOUNG OF ANY ANIMAL,  BIRD, MARINE CREATURE OR INSECT)

Banning or actively discouraging children from kicking pigeons is therefore justified on animal welfare, educational, ethical, and public safety grounds. Humane treatment of wildlife benefits both animals and society by promoting kindness, respect, and responsible behavior.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING THE CITY OF ADELAIDE?

We are calling on the City of Adelaide to install clear **"STOP! DO NOT CHASE THE PIGEONS", or "STOP! DO NOT HARM OR HARASS PIGEONS" signs in major public spaces, including **Victoria Square, Hindmarsh Square, and Rundle Mall.

We also ask the Council to empower authorised officers to issue on-the-spot penalties to people who deliberately kick, abuse, or otherwise mistreat pigeons. Clear signage, public education, and enforcement will help protect wildlife, discourage animal cruelty, and create safer, more respectful public spaces for everyone.