Shooting of Pigeons

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 112, 5 February 1935, Page 11

Shooting of Pigeons

Sir, —I was handed two metal rings today, taken from the legs of two homing 1 pigeons which were found shot at Evans Bay. There is no doubt these unfortunate pigeons were killed by gunshot wounds. As these pigeons belonged to a member of my society, information has been laid. It may not"be generally known that homing pigeons are protected by an Act of Parliament, which reads as follows: Every person who - intentionally shoots, ‘kills, disables, ensnares, or otherwise injures any homing pigeon is liable to a fine of £lO., Every, person who intentionally kills, maims, or in any way injures any homing pigeon while in course of transit, by railway, coach or otherwise, from its home to the point from which it is intended to dispatch as a bearer of a message or while being trained, is liable to a fine of £2O. Another serious aspect of this shooting is the danger to the large number ot people who visit this popular bay at this time of the year, and in their interests at least every endeavour should be made to stop the practice. Our pigeons are in the habit of alighting around the bays in search of health-giving grit, which is essential to their lives, and I hope in future their lives will not be endangered as at present. Several mood pigeons that have put up remarkabliT performances as racers have failed to return from their visits to the bays, and probably they have met the same fate as these unfortunate ones nt Evans Bay. I feel sure if you will kindly publish this information more consideration will be shown our pigeons. I ani, etc.. F. J. COUI’ER, Hon. Secretary, Wellington Homing Pigeon Society. Wellington, January 31.