Barcelona, the most famous, modern and cosmopolitan city of Spain, is experiencing problems with feral pigeons, which are considered as a 'plague'. The main problem with the expansion of this 'pest', is the increased dirt, damage to buildings and street furniture and allergies and disease.
Nevertheless, a few weeks ago the city council announced a solution to this problem: culling. Barcelona has put out to tender, worth 118,000 euros, a contract to 'remove' 65,000 pigeons over the next 18 months. This figure represents 25 percent of the 256,000 pigeons that live in the city. The contract specifies that the selected operator must capture the pigeons, kill them and then remove the bodies. The terms of the contract specifically requests that firms use of a 'painless' that is 'rapid' with no negative consequence on the environment.
Thousands of animal lovers in Spain are disgusted and shocked by this cruel, barbaric, and unplanned reaction. Why can't Spain follow the example of other countries?. There are plenty of humane, more practical (and cheaper) ways of reducing the overpopulation without resorting to killing. When pigeons are culled, they very quickly start breeding back up to and often beyond the original flock numbers, as flock sizes are governed by the amount of available food.
Hence, although very lucrative for pest control companies, culling is not a useful solution and simply results in more business for the pest controllers.
I am extremely disappointed that Barcelona, the most progressive city in my country, continues to allow this sadistic, unnecessary, counterproductive, expensive and outdated practice. Whilst this beautiful city commendably strives for animal rights (Barcelona and Catalonia lead the fight against bullfighting), it seems their government has a blind spot for the welfare of one of the most fragile and reviled animals there is: pigeons.
Spain's international reputation is not exactly as a country which respects its environment and animals. This is a very shameful, unfair and painful burden for all the Spanish people who really love, protect and respect life.
Unfortunately, our voices are not strong enough to stop this horrible massacre, that's why I ask you, the whole world, to scream along with us:
Please, don't kill the pigeons in Barcelona!
%uFFFDNo a la matanza de 65.000 palomas en Barcelona!
* You can protest here: http://www.bcn.es/ajuntamentescolta/english/welcome.htm
* Puedes protestar aqu%uFFFD:
http://w10.bcn.es/APPS/irsconsultesWeb/continuar.executant.do?i=e&origen=civisme_contacta&tema=122
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