by Ryan Ponto | Oct 2, 2016 | Bird Netting
A Birkirkara resident, who lives close to a property which neighbours claim is the cause of a rat infestation in the area, said that while trying to sleep at night they can hear rodents gnawing through the mortar in the wall.
“You can’t imagine what it’s like unless you were in our position”.
This particular property, on Triq Has-Sajjied Birkirkara, is known to this newsroom. Back in 2014, animal welfare officials who had gone on site told The Malta Independent on Sundaythat some 50 pigeons, three horses and some rabbits and chickens were found in the property. In 2015, a letter was sent to the Police Department complaining about a rat infestation.
Now, it seems legal proceedings have been initiated against those using this property to house the animals. The property is a house of character situated in an urban area, which also contains a courtyard.
A number of residents contacted The Malta Independent on Sunday with their concerns, and the shocking situation they face on a daily basis. The complaints are mainly about therat infestation on the property in question, and videos clips and images received highlight this particular problem. Complaints also mention the noise made by the horse kicking its hooves against the wall and the filth left by a number of pigeons kept on the property.
The video clips show rats skittering across the courtyard in broad daylight and climbing on walls, as well as chickens, roosters and a horse walking around.
One resident who spoke to this newsroom described the concerns he he has, and said that problems have been going on for a number of years, “but the rodent situation has never been as bad as it is now. Whenever I met the people utilising the property in question, I would tell them to clean up. They would do so and it would be better for a while. But with the infestation there is now, I felt the need to speak out. I have given up trying to reach some form of agreement with them as they seem to lack the will to solve the problem.” The courtyard in question, he said, is invaded.
The courtyard and building are quite old he said, explaining that there are gaps between the large stone blocks filled with mortar, and the rats dig through. “At night, we hear the rats digging through the mortar. Imagine, trying to sleep and hearing that at night. It’s not a nice thing to hear. I also have a courtyard, and I don’t even open the door to it anymore,as so many rodents come over from their property. In the evening, as soon as I switch on the lights in my courtyard, you can see the rats scurrying.”
He said that high-up health department officials (tas-sanita) had gone on site, went on the roofs of neighbours and saw the situation. “They were surprised by the number of rats.”
Turning to noise, he said that one week they would have roosters and someone would tell the people in question not to keep them there. They would remove them for a week and bring even more the following week.
A couple of residents mentioned that the pigeons were a real cause for concern, as they cannot even open their balcony doors for fear the pigeons would fly in. Faeces also litter their roofs.
Another resident explained that seeing rats in the street was becoming quite common.
Questions were sent to both Animal Welfare and the Health Ministry.
The Health Ministry said: “Following reports by neighbours who alleged that animals were being kept in unhygienic conditions in a built up area, inspections were carried out on site by various authorities including animal welfare, environmental health and PA. This led to legal action being initiated against the owners of the property on 29 September 2016.”
The Parliamentary Secretariat for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, responding on behalf of Animal Welfare said: “The case was investigated by the Animal Welfare Directorate, and as a result a formal complaint was sent to the Birkirkara Police Inspector.”
Documents regarding the sale of the property back in 1988 show that it was sold to a person called Derrick James Chick, who eventually moved to the UK. Dr Kenneth Grima, representing one of the residents, told this newsroom that the people who currently usethe property are squatters. However, neither the residents, nor the police can initiate legal proceedings, as only the owner can do that. He said that several attempts have been made to contact the descendants of the owner who live abroad, however so far they haven’t had any luck and have not been contacted back.
The people who use the property in question have now even filed an application before the Planning Authority, which was granted. The application was for internal alterations, with the addition of a washroom.
Residents speaking to this newsroom claim that the notice regarding the application was not visible on the property. “How is it possible that 12 residents never saw this,” one said.
In the planning application, the applicant ticked the box stating that he is the sole owner of the site, but as previously mentioned, their neighbours are claiming otherwise – that they are squatting.
One resident filed a complaint with the Planning Authority last June. “Squatters are using property as a farm mainly for raising horses and pigeons. Lately they have erected two’rooms’ for the pigeons which are visible from my roof, one from mixed material and then another wooden one. I have no idea if they have erected other rooms in these premises since the squatting has been going on for years”.
“This is a sensitive area as it is part of the old core of Birkirkara. My worry is that the premises will continue to deteriorate as the squatters have no respect for the building’s historic value and neither for the surrounding neighbours’ houses”.
In response, the Authority said: “These premises were built prior to 1967 and the Planning Authority has no records or permits relating to the site. Therefore, enforcement action cannot be initiated as regards the use. Moreover, application for ‘Internal alterations and proposed addition of washroom to an existing building’ has been granted Full Development Permission on 06/04/16 and a valid commencement notice has been submitted.”
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 Ryan Ponto | Oct 1, 2016 | Bird Netting
Suggesting that they could have been meant for terror activities in J&K, the state government has withheld the release of more than 150 pigeons, despite orders from a local court here.The pigeons, being transported in a vehicle from Amritsar to Anantnag, were seized by police on October 5.
The pigeons, which were tightly squeezed into cartons, were handed over to SAVE, an NGO working with the Society for Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals. On October 8, a local court imposed a fine of Rs 150 on the men transporting the birds under provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and ordered the release of the birds.
But District Magistrate, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh, in a written order dated October 11, stopped the release of the pigeons, saying, “I consider it a case of apprehended danger which should necessarily be put through a preliminary investigation by the agencies.”
Referring to the caution sounded by the IAF regarding the use of such non-conventional methods by hostile agencies to cause disturbances, he further wrote, “There could be a possibility of these pigeons being used for facilitating insurgency by means of exchange of messages or by using some hidden devices in their feet.”
“This presumption is being made due to their having different body colours, identification marks and different coloured rings on the feet,” he added.
Accordingly, he using the powers vested in him under Section 144 of the CrPC and ordered SAVE not to hand over the birds to the accused until a preliminary enquiry is conducted into the matter. Pointing out that the order will remain in force for 20 days, he said the release order shall be issued by him only after receiving clearance from SSP CID CI.
A senior police officer said that matter was under investigation. The accused have, however, left for the Valley.
SAVE chairperson Rumpy Madan said the suspicion arouse as a large number of birds were tightly stuffed into cartons using wires, safety pins and other objects, without any ventilation, water and feed.
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 Ryan Ponto | Sep 30, 2016 | Bird Netting
Jammu, October 16, (Scoop News)-District authorities in Jammu ordered a probe after an Non Governmental organization (NGO), SAVE (Save animals; value Environment) conveyed that the pigeons handed over to them had rings attached to their feet and some suspicious things were written on their feathers.
Jammu and Kashmir Police on October 5 had apprehended three persons and impounded 150 pigeons, being carried by them in banana boxes. They were booked under various sections of Cruelty to Animals Act. The birds were handed over to the NGO for care and supervision.
It is during the care and supervision of the NGO that some suspicious things written on the feathers of the birds besides rings attached to their feet were noticed. They (NGO) immediately brought the matter into the notice of the district administration who in turn ordered a probe to enquire if the pigeons were being to be used in spying purpose.
Since early times, pigeons were being used for spying particularly during war time. Earlier this month, a pigeon apparently from across the border was taken into captivity after a letter written in Urdu and addressed to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was found attached to its feet by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel near Simbal Post in Bamial sector.
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 Ryan Ponto | Sep 29, 2016 | Bird Netting
The search is on for new owners brave enough to take it on haunted inn.
The Three Pigeons Inn in Graigfechan, near Ruthin in Denbighshire , was originally a drovers’ alehouse and stead which has been on the site since the 12th century
It was rebuilt in 1777.
Today, the profitable property includes a lounge, bar and restaurant with two private ensuite holiday apartments, a lawned beer garden, outdoor veranda and beer terrace with a large car park and campsite – and around 1.8 acres of land.
The sale is under specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co and Keith Stringer, associate director at the company’s Manchester office, is handling the sale.
He said: “The Three Pigeons Inn is steeped in history and legend – even once hosting Owain Glyndwr, one of the most heroic figures in Welsh history and the last native Welsh person to hold the Prince of Wales title – as well as being home to a ghost or two, resulting in some strange sightings.”
The present owners, Paul Henri and Deborah Wilson-Henri, fulfilled a lifelong ambition in 2011 when they bought the Inn.
They have refurbished the property while maintaining original features that include open log fireplaces and beamed ceilings while also reviving the unique tradition of serving cask ales in jugs straight from the cellars.
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 Ryan Ponto | Sep 28, 2016 | Bird Netting
I was reading a story in a magazine not too long ago that referred to eating pigeons. I guess back in the good old days eating pigeons or squab was as natural as eating quail or pheasant. I am glad that I did not get to participate in that ritual! I just don’t have an urge to dine on a pigeon.
I am sure that eating pigeons that live in the rural areas is not that bad. They feed on grain just like our other upland birds, so it is probably just like eating mourning doves. I just have these images of pigeons in parks in the cities and they do not look appetizing to me. I may not love to eat pigeons, but I sure do like to shoot them. Over the years, I have had opportunities to shoot the fast flying birds and it is quite a lot of fun. The hunts that took place were set up to eliminate birds that had become a nuisance on a farm. Pigeons are known for making a big mess!
There are other pigeons that I enjoy shooting, but they are made of clay. Shooting clay pigeons, or trap as it is called in shooting circles, is a hoot. Not only is it a great time, it is a fantastic way to keep your shotgunning skills honed. I got introduced to trap shooting my sophomore year at Kansas State University. The same guy that got me started dove hunting also encouraged me to tag along when he went trap shooting at the trap club west of Manhattan on Highway 24. I went with him on a Thursday evening shoot, and I was hooked. It also got me started in the shell reloading mode in order to keep up with the demand for all the shells I was going through.
Back during that time frame, there were trap shoots taking place in Sabetha out at the airport. I would come home occasionally during the fall, and there was usually a trap hunt that would attract a fair number of shooters. There were prizes such as hams or bacon for the winners and it was a great time. By the time pheasant and quail season rolled around, the shooting skills were honed to the point that misses on rising birds were rare. I was coming into Manhattan from the west on Highway 24 a couple of weekends ago and I drove past the trap range, which is still in operation. It brought back great memories and spurred me into action. Due to a lack of shooting opportunities over the years, I can promise you that my shooting skills have deteriorated.
Shooting trap is the perfect remedy for that problem. I plan on purchasing some birds this fall to plant and shoot so I know I need to do a little practicing. Sunday afternoon I gathered up my equipment, and my son-in-law and I headed outside to shoot a little trap. I pulled a Remington Wing Master 870 20-gauge pump to use as the firearm. Adam had never shot trap before, and I was anxious to let him have at it. I have a very simple clay pigeon thrower that tosses up to three targets at a time if you so desire. It was very inexpensive and does the job nicely. A box of clay pigeons is very cheap and contains 135 targets.
For sessions such as this, I use Estate shotgun shells, which are a cheaper shell to shoot if you are not reloading. For trap shooting, it is much more pleasurable to use the 20-gauge. It is more than adequate for the task and actually makes you a better shot. We got set up and began the session. Adam went first and he got himself set and smoked the first target. I was thrilled beyond words. It is not easy to just step up and shoot a shotgun and hit a flying target. We spent the next 45 minutes busting clay pigeons. It felt great to get back in the groove. I am telling you that smoking one of those fast flying clay targets is very satisfying.
No, you cannot eat one of these pigeons, but who really wants to eat a pigeon anyway? With the upland bird season on the horizon, get out there and shoot some trap and get back in the groove. It is a great feeling!
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)
