A wildlife campaigner has warned pigeons are at risk of being “scared for their life” at a petrol station in Bedfordshire.
The concerns relate to temporary netting erected underneath the canopy at Sainsbury’s Dunstable forecourt, which is being kitted out with a new roof. The site has already seen the fire brigade effect one pigeon rescue after a bird became entangled in the protective mesh.
Campaigner and pigeon fancier Eloise Paul told Luton Today that she strapped the rescued bird’s injured leg up and is nursing the animal back to health.
She describes the pigeon as having been in “a dreadful way” and says his “innocent life” was harmed as a result of the actions of “some uneducated human”.
Paul says that the use of netting, which is permitted but must be monitored, is “absolutely disgusting”, adding: “So many pigeons get trapped in the netting and die in such a horrible way, starving, scared for their life and alone.”
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s told Luton Today: “While refurbishment works are taking place at our Dunstable petrol station, temporary netting has been installed around the exposed areas of the canopy.
“We take animal welfare seriously and are working closely with specialist contractors to carry out regular checks throughout the project, so that any issues can be identified and addressed as quickly as possible.”
