PiCAS INTERNATIONAL

The debate over the use of the controversial pigeon contraceptive, OvoControl P, is heating up in the USA with many experts and pro-pigeon groups joining the long list of those opposing the use of this dangerous drug. Although groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are actively supporting and promoting the use of OvoControl P, the widespread use of this contraceptive could have disastrous consequences for feral pigeon populations in the form of reduced resistance to coccidiosis, arguably the most devastating of all the pigeon diseases*.

The issue of pigeon control has recently hit the headlines in the USA with one New York City Council Member proposing a total feeding ban in New York city, with $1000 fines for anyone caught feeding pigeons. This has, inevitably, fuelled debate over the various control options that could be employed by the City Council to reduce pigeon flock size in the city. Although PiCAS International does not condone the uncontrolled feeding of feral pigeons, particularly where excessive feeding is concerned, a total feeding ban is unworkable. Before any action is taken to provide an area-wide pigeon control system in New York city an independent in-depth study must be undertaken followed by a structured, humane and effective control programme.

One of the control options that has been proposed for New York city is the use of OvoControl P and, apparently, trials have already taken place within the city to assess the effectiveness of the new contraceptive. Other cities in the USA are also undertaking trials of the drug. Although PiCAS International is deeply opposed to the use of this drug to control pigeon populations, due to the inevitable increase in coccidia amongst flocks that are being fed the drug, there is a need for an independent, expert and non-commercial body to collate information resulting from these trials. PiCAS International is therefore appealing to any organisation that has undertaken trials with OvoControl P, or is actively trialling the drug, to contact us and share information, particularly information relating to welfare assessments of target flocks.

*Wim Peters

Veterinary Surgeon and renowned expert in pigeon health

PiCAS UK (the Pigeon Control Advisory Service, UK Division) has today condemned the actions of the group calling itself Regenesis, based in Leamington Spa after it was revealed that Regenesis staff trapped and caught an undisclosed number of feral pigeons and caged them in a dovecote facility they provided. This barbaric action will have caused extreme and unnecessary suffering. Pigeons mate for life and breed all year round and therefore some, if not all of the pigeons caught will have been split from their life-long partners and will have certainly have had dependant young in nests. These young birds will have starved to death.

It is the view of PiCAS UK that the RSPCA should be considering a prosecution against Regenesis on the grounds of causing unnecessary suffering.

Not only this but the scheme implemented by Regenesis apparently based on the PiCAS model of pigeon control has been a complete failure due to the fact that Regenesis refused to be guided and take advice from PiCAS UK, the experts.

PiCAS UK wishes to disassociate itself with Regenesis and from this poorly thought out and badly executed control programme. Had Regenesis taken heed of the advice of PiCAS UK in the same way that Surrey Heath Borough Council (in Camberley) has done, Leamington Spa would now have a highly effective and humane pigeon control programme that would have reduced and stabilised pigeon numbers in the town without causing unnecessary suffering or wasting public money, as Regenesis has done.

In what Regenesis has hailed as a major programme to reduce the flock, experts at the internationally renowned Pigeon Control Advisory Service (UK Division) are horrified by the amount of suffering that would have taken place. Emma Haskell, Director of PiCAS UK, said: “We are absolutely disgusted at the level of cruelty that has been associated with this programme and the unparalleled level of incompetence demonstrated by the Regenesis Group.”

For more information on PiCAS UK visit the website at www.picasuk.com or contact Emma Haskell on 02392 583540 or 07903 011715

This week, Sky News reported that one of the theories put forward for the collapse of a 40-year old bridge in Minnesota, USA, was accelerated corrosion due to pigeon guano!  This has to be one of the most ludicrous theories ever put forward for a disaster of this type and on this scale, particularly when 13 people lost their lives and over 100 people were injured. 

River/road bridges and rail/road bridges are one of the most common and well used roosting/breeding sites for feral pigeons worldwide and it is not uncommon to find literally thousands of pigeons roosting and breeding under larger bridges.  The issue of pigeon occupancy under bridges is not lost on Bridge Inspectors whose job it is to undertake annual inspections of bridges to confirm that they are safe.  So why, if engineers are now saying that corrosion of steelwork was accelerated due to the acid present in pigeon guano, was this issue not raised and dealt with prior to the bridge becoming so badly corroded that it collapsed?

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This week PiCAS International made the difficult decision to bring its longstanding working relationship with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA USA) to a close as a result of differences in approach to the issue of pigeon control.  For a number of years PiCAS International has supported the work of PeTA in the USA where the provision of non-lethal and humane pigeon control systems are concerned and PeTA has, in turn, recommended the PiCAS approach widely. 

Recently, PeTA made the decision to back a new oral contraceptive drug, OvoControl P, designed for use with pigeons and produced by an American pharmaceutical company called Innolytics (please see posts dated August 4th and August 6th 2007).  PiCAS International made it clear to PeTA that it could not and would not back the use of a pharmaceutical drug when tried and tested and completely safe methods of birth control already exist in the form of PiCAS’ own egg removal/replacement programme.  Other, more worrying issues have been raised in respect of the long-term use of OvoControl P where resistance to one of the most common causes of pigeon mortality is concerned - coccidiosis (please see comments posted on the August 4th post).

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PiCAS UK (the Pigeon Control Advisory Service, UK Division) has today condemned Argyle Civic Association, based in Hollywood, USA for agreeing to undertake a pilot programme to put resident feral pigeon flocks on the contraceptive pill. Pigeon flock size is currently maintained by the huge volumes of food provided by some residents who are feeding the birds every day; Argyle Civic Association hopes to reduce the artificially high number of pigeons in the neighbourhood by taking this action.

To read the full story please visit PiCAS UKs PRESS RELEASE [PDF, 104KB].