Racing pigeons return with gunshot wounds

George Portelli was most upset after his champion racing pigeon turned up at its destination in the early hours yesterday - over 12 hours behind schedule - and with blood oozing out of a broken wing.

The pigeon had traversed 400 miles in the Bari to Malta race, only to be showered with lead pellets close to the finishing line.

Waiting at the vet alongside Mr Portelli yesterday were other disgruntled enthusiasts who complained that their pigeons had suffered the same fate.

Only around half of the 218 pigeons taking part in the race had reached their destination by yesterday morning, fewer than the proportion which normally makes it back in such races. It is not known exactly how many of them were gunned down, since a good number are always lost along the route.

Mr Portelli, from the San Gwann pigeon racing club, said the pigeons had been expected back around 4 p.m on Wednesday. But together with other enthusiasts, he waited in vain, and the birds only trickled in gradually.

Mr Portelli's pigeon was a couple of races away from winning him a top prize. It turned up yesterday, bleeding and with a broken wing, probably after stopping overnight to rest.

He said the pigeon had obviously been shot in Malta since it would have been impossible for it to fly between the two countries in that state.

The bird was tended to by a vet yesterday and though it will survive, it is unlikely to race again.

"I wouldn't have sold that bird, not even for Lm2,000," an angry Mr Portelli said.

The pigeon had won him several trophies, earning prestigious placings in the Catanzaro and Montapunto races.

Mr Portelli was appalled by the arrogance and heartlessness of the hunters whom he accused of ruining his hobby.

"It's a disgusting thing to do. I can't believe the stupidity of these people. Can you imagine? It's the equivalent of someone burning your cat for no valid reason," Mr Portelli said.

He appealed to the authorities to clamp down with hefty fines on hunters who shoot pigeons.

Mr Portelli said that every pigeon owner puts a lot of hard work and devotion into training and breeding the pigeons. A number of racing pigeons had been shot down by hunters at Pembroke last November, one week ahead of the pigeons' competitive season.