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  Today Online 10 Nov 06
Poisoning of pigeons is a pointless act
Dr Tan Chek Wee

About two months ago, I spotted about 30 to 40 dead pigeons along the back of a block of HDB flats in my estate.

On Wednesday, I spoke to a senior property officer from the Town Council who said the pigeons were poisoned by pest control personnel.

I told her that I was aware of food being thrown from some flats at this block to feed the birds and the cats, and that I had inserted flyers (in English, Chinese and Malay) appealing to the suspected culprits to refrain from such irresponsible activity. These flyers were distributed on three separate days this year. Each time, the food-throwing activity would die down for a while, but would pick up again.

Killing pigeons does not resolve the problem as there is an endless "supply" of birds.

When education fails, then nabbing the real culprits with perhaps a CCTV installed is a more effective solution than an endless cycle of poisoning.

I appeal to Town Council officers to avoid "easy" but ineffective solutions to complaints such as pigeons feeding.

It is not only cruel but also a waste of public funds. And what if the poison-bait were eaten by pet dogs or worse, a curious toddler? Who is going to be responsible then?
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