Two racing pigeons were shot down by hunters at Pembroke yesterday just one week ahead of the pigeons' competitive season.
Carmel Agius, vice-president of the Northern District Homing Union in San Gwann, said the killing of these racing pigeons, witnessed by pigeon fanciers, did not augur well for the rest of the season.
"This is not the first time that pigeons have been shot. Usually such incidents occur towards the end of the season, so the fact they have been shot at the start of our season spells bad news," Mr Agius said.
Pointing to the lifeless pigeons on the table, Mr Agius said the club was appalled by the arrogance and heartlessness of a few hunters who were ruining their hobby.
"The majority of hunters do not shoot pigeons, but the few who are doing so give the rest of the hunters a bad name. We let hunters relish their hobby in peace and we are appealing to them to allow us to do the same," he said.
A renowned Belgian pigeon fancier who happens to be in Malta said that authorities should clamp down with hefty fines on hunters who shot pigeons.
"In Belgium hunters who shoot down pigeons are immediately taken to court and fined," Roger Persoons said.
The two dead pigeons were found by pigeon fanciers a few minutes apart at about 10 a.m. and taken to the club.
Mr Agius said the two pigeons, bred from top pigeons in Europe, belonged to two different clubs in Birkirkara and Hamrun.
Mr Agius explained that there were 23 clubs in Malta, two of which were in Gozo, that formed part of the Maltese Federation of Pigeon Racing Clubs.
About four weeks before the competitive season kicks off, all the clubs start what is called 'training flies' to prepare the pigeons for the long races.
The season starts on Sunday with a 150-kilometre race from Syracuse to Malta. It comes to an end in May with a 660-kilometre race from Manfredonia, Italy to Malta.
"Every pigeon owner puts a lot of hard work and devotion into training and breeding the pigeons and it's disgusting that after all this they are shot just for the fun of it," he said.
Roger Calì, a member of the NDHU, said hunters had to be educated to respect other people's hobbies.
"The irresponsible few who shoot anything that moves are ruining our sport," Mr Calì said.