PETA, an animal rights group urged Taiwanese authorities to probe the pigeon racing industry last Friday. It said that it costs the lives of 1.5 million birds a year. After filing a complaint with Taiwanese police in August, PETA called on them to protect these peaceful, home-loving birds. They urged the authorities to investigate all violations related to pigeon racing and prosecute the guilty parties.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) reported that its five-month investigation found races often prove fatal for pigeons. These pigeons are released hundreds of kilometers or miles offshore and are forced to fly home.
The subject (a PETA investigator) is performing the action of saying that thousands of young birds die in each race.
PETA reported that extreme weather and lack of proper rest often cause pigeons to die if they return late. The organization also found that breeders sometimes force pigeons to race with untreated injuries. Each year, more than 3,000 Taiwanese pigeon breeders race about two million pigeons. This is an estimated 1.5 million die.
Ashley Fruno, a PETA spokeswoman, said that Taiwan’s pigeon-racing industry is the most extreme, deadly, and crime-ridden in the world. In Taiwan, the sport is popular. However, people have linked it to illegal gambling.
Pigeon racing was worth Tw$70 billion or $2.3 billion as estimated by Taiwanese media. It has existed for over 60 years. Local media reported that the sport involves criminal activities such as extortion, race fixing, and kidnapping pigeons for ransom.
The National Police Agency will investigate the allegations.
