Tfl’S Starving And Dehyrating Pigeons To Death Might Result In Prosecution, Says PETA

For Immediate Release:
4 June 2008


Contact:
Bruce Friedrich 0207 357 9229, ext. 224; [email protected]


London – Today, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent an urgent alert to thousands of its members and supporters urging them to contact Transport for London (TfL) and demand that the agency immediately free countless pigeons – and their unfledged babies, called squabs – who are trapped under bridges all over London. PETA says the cruelty inflicted on the birds violates the Animal Welfare Act 2006.


The situation came to PETA’s attention about a month ago when concerned citizens discovered dead and dying pigeons trapped in TfL-hung netting on Tower Bridge Road (at Druid Street). Although TfL has – after countless calls and e-mail exchanges – begun to take the situation situation at Tower Bridge somewhat seriously (though pigeons do remain trapped in the netting there), it has not replied to e-mails from the Metropolitan Police Service about TfL’s overall pigeon-control program, and TfL has not made any commitment to rectify the situation citywide.


“If TfL responded to transportation situations the way it has dealt with these starving birds, London would be at a complete standstill”, says PETA Managing Director Ingrid E Newkirk. “TfL is causing untold numbers of birds to die slow, agonising deaths even though humane and workable solutions are only a phone call away.”


PETA is calling on TfL to work with the Pigeon Control and Advisory Service (PiCAS) – which has an excellent record on humane pigeon control – to develop a humane and workable citywide plan which is in accordance with the law.