The Pigeons of Discord

Too many pigeons in the cities Free Midi – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Paz, a Parisian association, petitioned the administrative court on February 7 to request that Béziers town hall send it documents relating to the management of the pigeon population in the city.

This is a subject that has already been debated in many municipalities in Biterrois. In Vias, the town hall used falcons to keep these bulky birds away. In Sérignan, a few days ago, some residents accused the falconers of not just scaring away the pigeons, but of shooting them. In Bessan, sound scarers were installed.

For their detractors, pigeons carry many diseases, and their droppings, which can corrode stone, concrete, and even metal, damage streets and houses. But for Paz, the control of this population must not be done with violent or cruel means: " The town hall of Béziers refuses to be transparent, and we are in right to ask us what she has to hide, alarms Amandine Sanvisens, co-founder of PAZ, who questioned more than 250 municipalities. Does Béziers capture and gas pigeons, like the cities of Toulouse, Carcassonne or Alès do ? "

The association denounces gassing, shooting campaigns, surgical sterilization, scaring, and recommends gentler methods such as contraceptive dovecotes (eggs are replaced by dummy eggs , or coated with oil, which prevents them from hatching), or contraceptive corn. She would have started contacting Béziers town hall on September 1, 2023, to have a copy of the documents relating to the management of pigeons, and would never have received a response. On the town hall side, we assure you that we have "nothing to hide" :  "This association did send us a request, but it was written for another city… They only'# 39;to redo their mail."