PEOPLE feeding pigeons in Bahrain could face hefty fines if councillors get their way in a determined bid to tackle concerns over health, cleanliness and building damage.
It is common practice in the kingdom for animal lovers to scatter leftover bread or seeds for birds, while some people also spread leftover food.
Bahrain’s three municipal councils and the Capital Trustees Board are calling for those caught feeding wildlife to face criminal prosecution.
They believe the situation has ‘got out of control’ and is creating an unsightly mess, attracting vermin and causing foul smells.
“All religions and beliefs encourage us to take care of animals and birds but not in such manner in which leftover curry, rice, bones and even soup is splattered all over the roads, streets and pavements,” said Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi.
“The stains from leftovers are also very difficult to clean up, even with special detergents. This has to stop because it is also consuming vast amounts of street cleaners’ time.”
Northern Municipal Council chairman Ahmed Al Kooheji said ‘irresponsible behaviour’ cannot be tolerated. “It is teaching irresponsibility and dirtiness in the name of being kind and caring,” he claimed.
“We are seeking to put an end to food being dumped in public places to feed the birds. Offenders should be arrested and face legal action.
“Dumped food is attracting stray dogs, creating a stench, flouting cleanliness rules and causing a mess.”
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Bahrain would not be the first country to crackdown on the problem of feeding pigeons with several European and Asian cities leading the way.
Since the early 2000s, it has officially been illegal to feed pigeons in London’s Trafalgar Square. The ban came into force under former London mayor Ken Livingstone to deal with the plague of what he called ‘flying rats’.
In Barcelona, the birds have been fed with grains of maize treated with nicarbazin – a veterinary product that reduces fertility – in a bid to control numbers.
Bird excreta contains uric acid which can cause irreversible damage to buildings but most concerns relate to the diseases pigeons spread.
The crackdown may act as a deterrent although some hold the belief that they will never be hungry in their next lives if they feed the pigeons in this one. Others believe that when you die, your soul takes on the shape of a pigeon, so by feeding them, you are caring for the souls of your ancestors.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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