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Pigeons
Numerous complaints about these birds are received from residents
covering noise and nuisance from fouling of buildings, washing, clothings
Concentrations in any particular area are invariably caused by residents
feeding the birds. A by-product of this indiscriminate scattering of bread
in the vicinity of houses is that rats and mice, always searching for
easy food, are fed also.
To provide food for a starving bird in severe wintry conditions is an
understandably humane act, but to scatter feed all the year round in a
residential area is foolish and irresponsible*
A contractor is employed by the Council to deal with concentrations of
pigeons, within the Borough, which are the subject of residents' complaints.
He performs his work both efficiently and as unobtrusively as is possible6
either shooting or trapping the birds in the early morning,thus avoiding to
some extent the abuse and threats from the fanatical minority who consider
it their duty to protect the pests.
Under existing conditions all our efforts merely succeed in controlling
the number. Complete clearance from residential areas can only be achieved
by 100% co-operation from householders, and this is not forthcoming.
Diseases of Animals Act, 1950
Action under this Act is undertaken for the Council by the Veterinary
Officer of the City of London.
B.13