Hong Kong: Feed a pigeon, pay a $200 fine

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Hong Kong Goes After Pigeons To Prevent Bird Flu
Government To Scare Pigeons Away, Discourage Nesting

POSTED: 9:33 am CST November 7, 2005

http://www.channel3000.com/irresistible/5268513/detail.html

HONG KONG -- In a new strategy to stem the spread of bird flu, authorities in Hong Kong want people to stop feeding the pigeons. Those caught feeding birds at public housing buildings could face a nearly $200 fine.

A Housing Department statement said feral pigeon droppings can spread harmful germs. It said the safest and most humane way to keep birds from gathering is simply to avoid feeding them.

Housing officials also plan to scare pigeons away with sound devices and by having guards shine flashlights at trees, an effort to discourage nesting.

Public areas also will be disinfected more frequently.

[CountAllVotes]

1. Pigeons are filthy birds

I used to live in a place where there were lots of pigeons - I never fed them. They are indeed filthy birds.

Cryptopsychosis - you can get this awful/deadly disease which is found in pigeon or any other type of bird sh*t (and this is nothing new). So watch out for that sandwich you might be eating on the park bench if there are a lot of pigeons around - could get some pigeon sh*t on it easy enough.

I've never been a big bird lover for these reasons.

$200 is a hell of a lot of $ in Hong Kong I think.

:kick:

[RobertSeattle]

3. Flying Rats

I've never understood the fascination with feeding these vermin.

[400Years]

6. you could say the same thing about any living creature

"geez, those children are really nothing but two legged rats."

[RobertSeattle]

8. My point exactly

They don't need our help - they can fend for themselves without people feeding them.

[Village Idiot]

4. Histoplasmosis, too...

Nasty, nasty, nasty, vile little RATS with wings!!!

[davidinalameda]

9. which is a lovely little disease in itself

I have a chronic version of it

[ikri]

2. If you wouldn't feed a wild rat you shouldn't feed a wild pigeon

They carry a load of crap that can make people ill, the possibility of them carrying the H5N1 strain of bird flu is just the tip of the iceberg.

[Tummler]

5. I wonder if that's Hong Kong dollars or U.S. dollars

200 HK$ is only 26 US$.

[Mairead]

7. Pigeons ('Rock doves') should be honored around here.

They are peaceful (why do you suppose it's the 'dove of peace' and not the 'robin of peace' or 'peacock of peace'?), rather gentle (unlike, e.g., bluejays or robins), cooperative and socialistic,

...and no dirtier than any other creature that doesn't have the benefit of hot showers, soap, and shelter from the elements, for heaven's sake! Anyone who thinks pigeons are 'dirty' should try living rough for six weeks or so, and see how they themselves fare in the cleanliness-and-lack-of-vermin department.