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Oppose Transporting and Releasing Domestic Pigeons

From Palomacy: It's Pigeon Diplomacy
June 2023

Thousands of domesticated pigeons are transported miles from their homes and “released” to try and fly back for human entertainment. These domestic birds have no survival skills- no ability to find food or water or protect themselves from predators- and many don’t survive the ordeal. 

pigeon races

Thousands of domesticated pigeons are transported miles from their homes and “released” to try and fly back for human entertainment. (See What’s Pigeon Racing? & Why “Dove Releases” Are Cruel) These domestic birds have no survival skills- no ability to find food or water or protect themselves from predators- and many don’t survive the ordeal.

They get lost, injured, starved, or killed. These highly intelligent, deeply emotional, gentle, loyal birds are used as if they are disposable. And the birds that are inevitably hurt and lost aren’t wanted by the people who use them. They make no effort to help or recover them. Most of the birds die without ever getting any help.

The birds suffer a lot and if they are super-lotto-winning-lucky enough to get help, it is thanks to the generosity of good Samaritans, shelters, and overwhelmed rescuers, not the people who use them.

I know because I am the founder and director of Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions and we have assisted thousands of these stray birds since we started rescuing in 2007. Our community is called upon every day to try and rescue these suffering birds. It is heartbreaking to see what they endure and maddening because it shouldn’t be happening.

How is it legal? Is it legal? Does it not violate California Penal Code 597s against abandonment? The law says it is illegal to purposefully abandon an animal. Another statute, Penal Code Section 597.1, criminalizes leaving animals without proper care and attention in any building, enclosure, lot, street, or another public place.

Pigeon racers transport and abandon thousands of pigeons for every event!

rescued Dove

 

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