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ALLEGED CRUELTY TO
PIGEONS.
A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CONSIGN
MENT.
Melbourne, July 22.
In consequence of the renewed com-<*>
plaints against the practice of transport-<*>
ing pigeons in overcrowded crates for trap-<*>
shooting purposes, the Society for the
Protection of Animals to-day instituted an
enquiry into the conditions of six crates
of these birds which passed through Flin
ders-street station on their way from South
Australia to Tottenham. Some of the
birds had died. Many were weak and
apparently suffering from insufficient food
and water and the effects of close con
finement.
During the few minutes the birds were
ai the station the porters replenished tlieir
water supply.
The secretary to the society (Mr.
Ijatham) stated that in one consignment
of 200 pigeons some time ago only II sur
vived the journey. The strongest birds
were frequently reduced to a starving and
almost exhausted condition. Apart from
the railway journey, the pigeons were
often kept in captivity for some time. The
pigeons were automatically released from
collapsible traps, and a' wing, leg, or the
beak mighs be blown off at comparatively
short ranges by handicap shooters. Only
two states in America tolerated the shoot
ing of live -pigeons, which had also been
made an offence in Western Australia.
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