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Birds trapped in Exeter Quay net sparks outrage as reports suggest one dies
Outrage has been sparked after a pigeon was seen stuck inside bird netting at Exeter Quay. One woman has described the incident as “unacceptable”.
On Monday, May 29, a pigeon was seen trapped inside bird netting above restaurants on Commercial Road at Exeter Quay. It is understood that the bird was eventually released on Wednesday afternoon (May 31).
The netting is frequently used to prevent birds from nesting on roofs, particularly at places where food is served. While the RSPB encourages establishments to use alternative bird deterrents, the organisation, along with RSPCA, encourages regular checks and maintenance of nets to ensure birds don’t become trapped.
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Denise Theophilus is based in Caenarfon, Wales and runs Foundation for Feathered Friends, an organisation which helps and promotes the welfare of wild birds. She says she was notified of the trapped pigeon, and another believed to have been dead, at Exeter Quay on Monday.
She said: “There was a live pigeon in there plus one dead pigeon that could be seen. We contacted the company but it appeared they were not interested.
“On Tuesday, we got a rescuer out and the Fire Service did go out. Unfortunately they would have to cut the netting and they told the rescuer that he would be responsible for the costs.
“We shared the information on social media and a lot of people got involved all around the country and I’m happy to say that the RSPCA did go out.”
She slammed the use of netting as “unacceptable”, claiming that birds regularly become trapped in nets. She said: “This happens all the time, it’s unacceptable.
“I don’t know of any other country that values its roof space quite as much as Britain. People go on and on about how the pigeon guano, which is what they call the excrement, damages roofs. It’s absolute nonsense.
“The problem is that when holes are formed, birds will get into them but they can’t get their way out again.”
Denise went on to express her disappointment about the way she believes pigeons are viewed in the modern day. She described them as “gentle” creatures and made reference to the 32 messenger pigeons who were awarded with the Dickin Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty after the Second World War.
She said: “They’ve been extremely useful to us in the past even though they’re now seen as vermin which they are not. In World War Two, the British government used pigeons as messengers.
“They’re very mild, gentle creatures and they don’t deserve the treatment that they get.”
DevonLive has contacted the company that is understood to be responsible for managing the building but has yet to receive a response.
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