by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 28, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News
FEEDING the birds costs “tuppence a bag” in the classic film Mary Poppins, but one woman has been fined £640 for putting out food for the pigeons.
Katherine Spiller was handed a community protection notice by Oxford City Council in February last year after neighbours complained about the large numbers of pigeons congregating around her home.
But the “habitual bird feeder” failed to abide by the notice and continued to put seed out in her garden in Temple Street, east Oxford, a court heard.
Magistrates were shown pictures of dozens of pigeons perched on the roof and window ledges of the terraced house, and even sitting on neighbouring buildings.
Jeremy Franklin, representing Oxford City Council, said 66-year-old Spiller flouted the notice eight times between August and October last year.
He told Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday how neighbours reported Spiller to the council for continuing to put out bird seed.
Mr Franklin added: “The defendant is an habitual feeder of birds, mostly pigeons, which congregate around her house in large numbers, causing a certain amount of distress and antagonism to the neighbours.
“The warning notice required the defendant to cease dropping bird seed or foodstuffs that would encourage birds, vermin or other animals in her garden or anywhere and to keep her garden free from weeds and plants providing shelter to vermin and other animals.
“Despite the imposition of the notice, the defendant was found to have breached it by continuing to feed the pigeons.”
Mr Franklin said the city council might have to take further action to stop Spiller from feeding the pigeons unless she could change her habits.
He added: “Those charged with dealing with this problem are at their wits end.”
The court heard Spiller had sent a letter to the court, admitting she had failed to comply with a community protection notice.
But the court clerk said the letter was “very, very rambling” and mainly consisted of “poems that have been written by Ms Spiller”.
The panel of magistrates handed Spiller – who did not attend the hearing – a fine of £640 for breaching the order.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 26, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
Animal welfare officers who rescued a lost pigeon in East Lothian were in for a surprise when they discovered in belonged to the Queen.
The Scottish SPCA was called when the exhausted bird was spotted at Traprain Terrace in Haddington on February 2.
Staff traced it back to its owner and the racing pigeon has now been returned to the royal loft on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The bird was identified by a ring number on its leg.
Connie O’Neill, Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer , said: “I’ve rescued many pigeons during my career with the Scottish SPCA but this was certainly a first for me.
“I was really excited when I found out it was one of the Queen’s racing pigeons.
“We were able to identity where the pigeon had come from using the ring number on its leg and arrangements were made for it to be collected.
“The poor bird was exhausted and it was a cold, dark and windy night when it was found. Thankfully someone contacted us as it would have been very easy prey for a cat.
“It’s quite common for racing pigeons to lose their way and become too tired to take off again. I’m really glad we were able to help in this instance.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 23, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeons in the News
Apparently, it’s completely legal to gun down live birds released from boxes at the Philadelphia Gun Club, but hiring this teenager to end the lives of birds that were missed is downright cruel. What activists from SHARK seem to be forgetting, is that regardless of this kid’s actions, those birds were set to die.
When the group filmed the kid chasing down the birds and using beach side objects like sticks and rocks to kill them, they brought focus to the treatment of animals instead of the use. “The shoots are legal in Pennsylvania, so there’s nothing we can do about that. Our concern is the treatment of the animal once it is shot, to make sure it’s (euthanasia) done as humanely and swiftly as possible,” Police Lt. William McVey told the news outlet. “In this case, it crossed the line.” The argument here is that death is fine, as long as it’s swift. But why isn’t the argument that we shouldn’t be killing these pigeons at all?
God dammit – those birds were property of the hunting club, and people expect them to be taken care of! An attorney for SHARK said, ”It shows that whatever steps the gun club has taken up until now to keep its promise have been inadequate, so the Bensalem Police Department’s decision to file charges doesn’t satisfy SHARK’s concern that future shoots held at the gun club also won’t comply with the agreement. Right now, SHARK is exploring their options in pursuing an appropriate remedy, including returning to court.” How can we ever trust these hunters again?
Really, attorneys should be working on getting rid of the entire club, their hosting of these semiannual shoots, and the unnecessary use of these pigeons for sport. And when it comes to educating a seventeen year old on animal rights, we ought the talk veganism and not “nice” ways to put an animal down.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 21, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
Residents in one of Kensington’s most exclusive streets are in a bizarre row with town hall chiefs over a 60ft bird net installed to prevent them from being plagued by pigeons.
A retired judge and former MI6 officer are among neighbours who have already spent more than £10,000 battling Kensington and Chelsea Council’s demand that they rip down the protective netting.
The birds moved into De Vere Gardens when two hotels were demolished in 2010 to make way for the £600 million One Kensington Gardens development opposite Kensington Palace.
Nearby celebrity bolthole The Baglioni Hotel hooked up a net over its patio to protect its glitzy clientele, who have included Lindsay Lohan, George Clooney, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
The Baglioni hotel also installed anti-pigeon nets
But when one neighbour complained the net cage strung up at the rear of two six-storey Victorian terraces in the sidestreet created a “sense of enclosure”, the town hall stepped in and ordered its removal.
Officers said the net – which stopped the pigeons fouling windows and patios – needed planning permission and launched enforcement action.
Planning row: The 60ft high anti-pigeon netting Nigel Howard
Furious neighbours in the conservation road, where three-bed flats fetch £3million, dubbed the move “pigeongate” and mounted a legal challenge to the Planning Inspectorate.
After losing the appeal they have now lodged a last-ditch application to keep the nets in place.
Dr Daniel Sister, a leading anti-ageing specialist, warned that pigeon poo could lead to people catching potentially “life-threatening” psittacosis – known as Parrot Fever.
He said: “Until the temporary pigeon netting was installed in 2013, our rear patio was fouled daily by pigeons roosting on the ledges, window sills and eaves.
The netting in the alley behind the hotel Nigel Howard
“Since the netting was installed, there has been genuine and obvious improvement.
“I had the experience of the health risks associated with pigeon droppings, having been diagnosed and treated successfully in Paris with psittacosis.
“This can be a life-threatening infection and I do not want to be exposed to this risk nor my wife nor pet dog nor anyone in the building.”
Retired immigration judge and City lawyer Christopher Wright, 78, the chairman of the residents’ association, said: “That the council has taken this action the way it has is an outrage. The obligation to maintain the conservation area should be trumped by the desire of the residents to be protected from this nuisance.”
Fowl mess: Droppings left by the birds
Paul Wheeler, 82, a former MI6 specialist Middle East officer who later worked as a screenwriter on Minder and the Darling Buds of May, said the birds had been “terrorising” the building.
He said: “My wife Alex and I came home one day and the entire kitchen window was covered in poo. We said enough is enough and all decided to put up the nets which made an enormous difference and got rid of the problem. We had no idea you needed planning permission.
“We considered employing a hawk to get rid of the pigeons and we were quoted £10,000 a year. That’s about what we have paid on legal fees now fighting this council decision.”
Pigeon spikes didn’t deter the birds
The town hall’s planning department has recommended the planning committee takes the unusual step of refusing to rule on the application at its meeting on Tuesday.
A report states: “The planning merits of this development were already considered when the enforcement notice was served and the development was found to be unacceptable.
“The enclosure is of considerable scale, has no architectural merit and is causing harm to views of the buildings by reason of its height, bulk and width across the rear elevation.
Neighbour Susan Griggs said the whole row was “ridiculous” Nigel Howard
“There are more discreet and equally effective methods of bird control available including, for example spikes and wires which may be fixed on ledges and other areas where birds tend to perch or roost.”
If the planning application is not approved the residents will have until March 15 to remove the netting.
Neighbour Susan Griggs, 81, a former picture editor of the Daily Telegraph, said: “The whole thing has just been ridiculous.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 20, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services
Local councils have been accused of using public space protection orders (PSPOs) to introduce ludicrous new laws, the breaking of which could result in on-the-spot fines of up to £100. Want to see a few examples? Of course you do. Hillingdon council has been particularly busy:
- People are banned from gathering in groups of two or more in parts of Hayes town centre, Pinkwell, Kingshill Avenue, Kingsash Drive, and Cedars and Grainges car parks, unless waiting for a bus or moving to or from a parked vehicle
- People aren’t allowed to feed pigeons in parks if they could cause a nuisance
- People mustn’t use remote controlled model vehicles and aircraft in parks if they could cause a nuisance
- People aren’t allowed to leaving their engine running in the Heathrow villages areas,when they’ve already parked their car
Better still, Havering is clamping down on parents dropping their kids off at school and Hackney tried (but failed) to enforce a ban on rough sleepers.
It all sounds very bitty and over-the-top, but Simon Blackburn, the chairman of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, disagrees, saying, “Clearly in the majority of cases, no action will be taken against people because they will be behaving in an innocent way. What these powers do is give councils and police the ability to enforce against people who are causing anti-social behaviour.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 19, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
An exclusive street in Kensington plagued by pigeon droppings has got into trouble with its local council after residents took matters into their own hands and erected a 60ft ‘poo-catcher’ net.
The neighbours, who live in properties which fetch up to £3 million, have already spent more than £10,000 battling Kensington and Chelsea Council after they demanded that they rip down the protective netting put up to prevent their windows and doors being blighted by birds.
The feathery pests moved into De Vere Gardens when two hotels were demolished in 2010 to make way for the £600 million One Kensington Gardens development opposite Kensington Palace.
Dr Daniel Sister, a leading anti-ageing specialist, told the Evening Standard: “Until the temporary pigeon netting was installed in 2013, our rear patio was fouled daily by pigeons roosting on the ledges, window sills and eaves.
“Since the netting was installed, there has been genuine and obvious improvement.
“I had the experience of the health risks associated with pigeon droppings, having been diagnosed and treated successfully in Paris with psittacosis.
“This can be a life-threatening infection and I do not want to be exposed to this risk nor my wife nor pet dog nor anyone in the building.”
Nearby etablishment The Baglioni Hotel hooked up a net over its patio to protect its clientele, who have included Lindsay Lohan, George Clooney, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
But when one neighbour complained the net cage strung up at the rear of two six-storey Victorian terraces in the side street created a “sense of enclosure”, the town hall stepped in and ordered its removal.
Officers said the net – which stopped the pigeons fouling windows and patios – needed planning permission and launched enforcement action.
Proceedings are now underway and if the planning application is not approved, residents will have until March 15 to remove the netting.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
