Pigeon poisoning happened again after a year of persistent pigeon killing.
Petitions were signed and proposals for managing the pigeon population were submitted, yet no special effort has been made by the authorities to explore humane alternatives. Instead, heavy fines have been imposed, effectively discouraging and locking away human compassion for animals.
On 15 June, last Monday, while on my way home after a badminton game, I saw two pest control staff carrying a black plastic bag and picking up a live pigeon sitting in the middle of the road. To my astonishment, I began filming what was happening. I felt I had to. One of the pest control staff also filmed me, which I welcomed, because my hands are always kept clean.
Dried green beans and tiny pieces of poisoned bread were scattered on the ground, waiting for pigeons to eat them and die. I filmed the entire process without disrupting their work. The emotional pain was enormous as I recorded the birds up close, watching them die in distress while knowing they had done nothing wrong.
My compassion extends not only to the pigeons, but also to those who carried out the killing, those who gave the instructions, those who supported it, the complainants who called for it, and those who rejoiced in the killing process.
When the filming was over, the two pest control staff walked away, though not very far. I took a broom and dustpan belonging to the Town Council and began sweeping away the poisoned food. The two staff members waved at me, seemingly supporting my efforts to clean it up.
The dustpan did not work very well, so I decided to pick up the remaining pieces with my bare hands. Suddenly, I heard someone shout that I could die from handling the poisoned food without protection. I looked up and realised they were standing very close to me, filming what I was doing and saying.
Well, I am not afraid of losing my life, let alone being filmed. I told them that if I died, they would be responsible for it.
I continued cleaning the area, making sure not even a tiny bean or crumb of poisoned bread was left behind. It was not only about protecting the birds, but also about protecting people who might unknowingly come into contact with the poison.
Every day, I breathe in second-hand smoke from smokers, which directly affects my health, yet no one seems to be talking about it. Instead, we point our fingers at creatures that do not harm us.
I would encourage complainants to write in and propose humane solutions for managing pigeon populations. Such efforts could help not only pigeons, but, more importantly, ourselves.
Never suggest killing when humane alternatives exist.
Cats who teach me to fly... 