The soaring populations of pigeons in urban areas can have several detrimental effects on human health, heritage and property, said Partit Demokratiku, however they said that there is “no piecemeal solution for pigeons.”

However, PD emphasised that “whatever strategy is deployed, it needs to be carefully evaluated in terms of efficiency and animal welfare.”

It pointed out that pigeons are prolific breeders and keeping their numbers in check is a challenging undertaking. The PD said that it noted that the Cabinet recently approved “mass culling” as a means of pigeon control.

PD explained that “this would be achieved by luring the birds into large cages and providing them with food laced with substances that bring about their natural death – effectively poisoning them.”

The PD voiced its concern that this method is “unethical as it causes unnecessary suffering to these animals.”

“It is perturbing that no information about the lethal agent has been disclosed.” states Mark Zerafa, head of PD’s Animal Rights policy group.

He argued that, “other more humane methodologies are available, utilising non-lethal substances that interfere with the birds’ reproductive processes. Such approaches have been successful in European cities such as Genoa and Barcelona.”

“Culling one local population will be a very short term solution, as the lack of population pressure will cause pigeons from surrounding areas to quickly fill the void,” he added.

Deputy Leader Timothy Alden stated “inhumane solutions are also short term. We urge government to consider promoting humane methodologies to effectively control pigeon populations on a national scale, which is the only way to tackle the problem effectively.”

He concluded by saying that, “it is said that a country can be judged by how it treats its animals, so let us set a high standard.”

Over the following weeks, in response to various concerns, Partit Demokratiku said that it will issuing policies and statements in defence of animal rights.

Photograph: Partit Demokratiku

Permalink: There is no piecemeal solutions for pigeons – Partit Demokratiku