The main reason people seek to cull feral pigeons in the UK is because they are regarded as a nuisance and because their droppings are unsightly. Neither of these reasons is valid in law.
Pigeons are protected under the provisions of Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Pigeons cannot be legally killed for damaging buildings or cars or other property or for making a noise!
When pigeons are killed under a general licence the authorised person must be able to show that non-lethal methods such as deterrents have been ineffective or would be impracticable.
There is no evidence that city centre pigeons have ever caused damage to livestock or spread disease, in fact the evidence proves the contrary. And yet the culls continue.
This is a more formal summary of the law that you may want to use when trying to stop a cull or reporting a cull that is illegal. It includes links to the general licences which are worth reading carefully:
The Law:
Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act it is an offence for any person to kill, injure or take any wild bird.
- intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird
- intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built
- intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird
- have in one's possession or control any wild bird, dead or alive, or any part of a wild bird, which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954
- have in one's possession or control any egg or part of an egg which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954
- use traps or similar items to kill, injure or take wild birds
- have in one's possession or control any bird of a species occurring on Schedule 4 of the Act unless registered, and in most cases ringed, in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations.
- intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird.
The maximum penalty that can be imposed for an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act - in respect of a single bird, nest or egg - is a fine of up to £5,000, and/or six months' imprisonment.
(Those people Who commit the crime will be taken seriously , and Pigeon Rescue Team will follow it up so please make sure pigeons are safe and no one is bothering them with the crimes if you see anything happen please contact Pigeon Rescue Team)
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A Response from the RSPB of Pigeon Protection
Feral pigeons in the UK are afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to intentionally harm, take or kill any wild bird or to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of a wild bird whilst in use or being built.
In response to your question about vermin, there are no species of bird in the UK that are officially classed as vermin so those that have told you feral pigeons are vermin have got their facts wrong i’m afraid. Feel free to suggest contacting us for confirmation to the organisations that you have been having complications with.
Under the above legislation, certain species including the feral pigeon can be controlled under certain licence conditions if a specific health and safety concern is identified. You can read about these licences and conditions via the link below to the Natural England website.
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/licences/generallicences.aspx
If you come across trapped birds of any species including feral pigeons in netting then it is the organisation responsible for the fitting of the netting to ensure that it is fit for purpose and if any trapped birds are found they should be removed unharmed at the earliest possible opportunity. Whilst anti-bird netting is in frequent use across the UK, it should only fitted in a way that excludes birds from the desired area, if it allows birds to become trapped then it needs to be repaired or removed to prevent further distress or fatalities occurring. If birds are discovered trapped or injured and are in need of care or rescue we recommend calling the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 as they are the nation’s leading animal welfare group and do have facilities to assist. Alternatively, some vets or wildlife hospitals also have care facilities for injured wild birds.
There's no word vermin what so ever its made up we rescue Pigeon's and caught no disease from them its all lies and people making up just because everyone see's them everywere they are called 'Pigeons Carry Disease' its all fake as you can see Pigeons are protected (Wildlife Act And Countryside 1981) so if you see anyone doing all sorts of thing '
intentionally harm, take or kill any wild bird or to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of a wild bird whilst in use or being built' please contact us.
Please take pictures so it can be kep't as evidence and be shown to the police, please stay away from the person for your own health and safety if you can't contact us for some reason please call the Police straight and tell them that there is a crime being commited (Wildlife Act and Countryside 1981).
Emergency Line: 07947475147 , 07909795064
PigeonRescueTeam@hotmail.com
