A pigeon cull in Sliema to rid the area of “an uncontrollable infestation” has angered some residents but the local council insists the drastic measure is the only solution to a problem with serious health implications.

“We tried everything before resorting to this approach. I’m an animal lover myself but this is the only way to deal with the situation,” Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop told the Times of Malta.

“The amount is absolutely massive. We have areas totally infested by pigeons, dirtying pavements, clothes on washing lines, even the water that goes into storage tanks.”

The council had tried a number of other approaches, including contraceptive pills and placing cages on rooftops, but to no avail.- Anthony Chircop

Mr Chircop said the council had tried a number of other approaches, including contraceptive pills and placing cages on rooftops, but to no avail.

“I’ve faced this situation since my first day as mayor,” he said. “The amount of complaints we’ve received from residents about the nuisance and the risk of disease is unbelievable.”

One of the dead pigeons in Annunciation Street, Sliema.One of the dead pigeons in Annunciation Street, Sliema.

Writing on Facebook, a local resident expressed anger at what she described as “barbarism” after witnessing the cull taking place. The resident also said she was concerned that people on rooftops could be endangered by the shooting.

Mr Chircop, however, assured residents the exercise was being carried out with the full collaboration of all the relevant authorities and under police supervision.

He added that all shooting was taking place in the early hours of the day for safety reasons and the main areas targeted were not inhabited.

This is not the first cull of its kind in recent years. A similar exercise was carried out in Balluta three years ago and previously at St Luke’s Hospital by the government’s animal welfare agency.

Some residents voiced their objections through Facebook.Some residents voiced their objections through Facebook.

 

 

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