Birds Flying High? Upfront Magazine

Today I read the article "Birds Flying High?" in the most recent issue of Upfront magazine. This article talks about the latest sports scandal revolving around the "sport" of competitive pigeon racing.  In this sport, pigeons are released hundreds of miles from their homes and electronically tracked to observe how fast they are able to make it home.  This sport has caused much controversy in the last month, as it involves gambling and even some doping.  Overall, I find the entire thing disgusting, and I am amazed that almost nothing has been done to stop it.  For one, it is a clear form of animal abuse, and two, by involving animals in our idea of "recreation," we are bringing out the worst in ourselves.

Pigeon racing, in my shared opinion, is a clear and basic example of animal abuse. In fact, it is the epitome of animal abuse.  The article states "...more than 60% of the birds get lost or die because of bad weather, electrical lines, predators, or exhaustion; and those deemed too slow are often killed." This fact merely showcases the extent to which humans are morally able to go, how, somewhat disgustingly, we are able to push other living creatures' health and lives aside just for a good show.  A good laugh. Apparent fun. Another detail in the article read "One pigeon owner told PETA's investigators that the first thing pigeon racers need to know when starting out in the sport is 'how to kill pigeons.' "


On top of this, Pigeon racing brings out the worst in humans. The article indicates, " In October, the world of pigeon racing was rocked when six birds in Belgium tested postive for banned-performing enhancing drugs ( five for a human painkiller, one for cocaine)." Human baseball players, track runners, swimmers, and bicyclers may inject steroids and other performance- enhancing drugs into their bloodstreams, and this is because they have made the decision to do so. It is an entirely different story when bird holders dope helpless animals just to win. "Pigeon racing has recently become a gambling jackpot, with 15 million in gambling at stake each year in the US." People are in no way gambling with money, they are gambling with the lives of hundreds of pigeons, hundreds of living animals.

But recently, there has been attempts to change it. PETA has recently issued a investigation into the nooks and crannies of this horrific sport, and I guarantee there is much to be exposed.  Hopefully, with these shocking facts out in the open, the public will begin to take action and possibly even impeach it from our society.