Culling of pigeons should be done humanely

The recent case of a pigeon culling video at Aljunied Hougang Town council, which ACRES described as "an outright case of cruelty" - is the common practice used by pest control companies engaged by all Town Councils in S'pore.  Culling is normally done regularly every 3 months.

AVS (formally AVA) is well aware of the method employed as they are the one who approved this inhumane and cruel method of culling pigeons. SPCA is aware of it too but they believe AVS is working towards a more humane way of culling.  Unfortunately - their 'belief' never materialised as AVS sticks to this low cost quick fixes which they claimed is 'effective'. I thought ACRES is aware too - after all this bad practice has being going on for more than a decade with little result in controlling the pigeon population. This itself is evident that the method is NOT effective.

We understand the need to control the pigeon population in housing estate, but a more humane method should be used. It is very cruel to have them suffered so much pain first by poisoning then suffocation while being culled. It is extremely disturbing to see poisoned pigeons falling off ledges. Most of birds though unable to fly are still alive when they are thrown into bags. 

Those pigeons that did not ingest sufficient poison food, flew off and we often see dead birds the next two days at various blocks. If the cleaners do not spot them, the carcass will pose a hygiene problem.

AVS has tested out contraceptive feed method to reduce pigeon population at a mosque and a temple as I recalled for around 3 to 5 years. However AVS seems hesitant to implement it as it is more costly. This method has been found to be effective in other countries.

Sterilization of stray cats has been very effective, thus contraceptive method on pigeons would likely see fruitful results, which years of ruthless poison plus suffocation culling has not.

We are a developed nation, we should stop such cruel culling.  Besides the current method contradicts the spirit of the law of cruelty against animals. It also goes against our national kindness movement and compassion teaching in various religions.