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FLOCKY HORROR
Pigeon racing is under threat from rising numbers of birds of prey in towns and cities enthusiasts claim.
perigrine falcons and sparrowhawks are colonising urban areas with the blessing of some councils to help control vermin.
but pigeon fanciers say they are eating their prized birds, some worth more than £100,000, David bills of the rpra claims they slaughter 270,000 pigeons and song birds every day and wants the right to cull them.
he said the wild pigeon is streewise whereas the racing pigeon is focused on getting hom oblivious to other things. they are easy prey, Salford mp hazel blears has raised the issue in parliament but said the 50,000 enthusiasts are ignored because of their image, she said "with pigeon racing people think of cloth caps and clogs while falcons are beautiful.
She refused to back a cull but said humane ways need to be found to stop them nesting.
The rspb said only a fraction were killed by birds of prey, which are recovering from centuries of persecution and added were privileged to have them. they claimed most pigeons had accidents when too exhausted or were eaten by cats.