Straits Times Forum
Online Story
Mar 17, 2010
Stop feeding the pigeons
I REFER to Mr Victor Looi's Forum Online letter, "Employ more humane culling methods" on Monday.
He said: "The fact that something has not happened does not mean it will not happen in future."
Based on his argument, we would probably have to cull all wildlife, for they too might spread diseases in the future. But obviously, this is illogical and ultra-inhumane.
If pigeons could spread disease, thousands of bird lovers all over the world would have been infected.
It is excessively harsh to exterminate pigeons just because they might pose a threat.
The more humane way to control the pigeon population is for the National Environment Agency and town councils to step up their "stop feeding pigeons" campaigns at void decks and hawker centres and educating residents, stall owners and their patrons to dispose of food properly.
Zhang Wei Ya (Ms)
