An animal rights group called PETA says they’ve bought and found new homes for three pigeons from King’s estate in Sandringham. They believe pigeon racing is cruel. They’ve asked King Charles to stop supporting it.
The campaigners think that in long-distance races, too many pigeons get hurt or die.
Sandringham’s spokesperson says their pigeon loft follows all the rules and standards.
Chris Sutton, who runs the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, disagrees. He says pigeon racing isn’t cruel. He believes pigeons are smart birds, and their health and happiness are always important.
The animal welfare campaigners think pigeon racing is a hobby that often ends in death for the birds. They bought the pigeons at auction to save them from more suffering.
They wrote to King Charles saying the pigeons they bought are now living well in a bird sanctuary in Wales.
They’re especially against races that go across the English Channel. They say these races are tough and confusing for the pigeons. Many of them don’t make it.
For 150 years, there’s been a pigeon loft at Sandringham. But the animal rights group wants King Charles to stop supporting pigeon racing and turn the loft into a sanctuary for these amazing birds.
They wrote a letter to the King saying they’ve renamed the three retired pigeons as Vera, Cliff, and Dover, in memory of Dame Vera Lynn, who didn’t like pigeon racing.
PETA bought these pigeons earlier this year at a charity auction. The sale was advertised on Twitter with a royal emblem. The documents show the transfer from the Royal Lofts in Norfolk.
But Mr. Sutton disagrees. He says pigeon racing isn’t cruel. He thinks the birds’ well-being is most important, especially in long-distance races. He says they take care of the pigeons throughout their lives, providing training and support before competitions, and they only race in safe weather conditions.
