‘Joe the Pigeon’ is spared over ‘fake leg tag’

It was initially thought ‘Joe’ had travelled some 8,000 miles from the US to Australia

Bird was discovered in Melbourne on 26 December (Associated Press)

A pigeon set to be culled by Australian authorities who initially thought it was a biosecurity risk has been spared.

"Joe the pigeon" was found in a back garden in Melbourne on Boxing Day with a leg band suggesting it had flown from the US state of Oregon, some 8,00 miles away.

The discovery prompted international media attention and Australia's Department of Agriculture (DOA) later declared that the winged-creature would have to be destroyed, saying it represented a disease threat.

But the American Racing Pigeon Union intervened to argue that the bird's tag was fake.

"The pigeon found in Australia sports a counterfeit band and need not be destroyed per biosecurity measures, because his actual home is in Australia," the group wrote on Facebook earlier this week.

Following a probe, biosecurity officials on Friday agreed that the tag was not genuine and said no further action would be taken.

“Following an investigation, the department has concluded that Joe the Pigeon is highly likely to be Australian and does not present a biosecurity risk," the DOA said in a statement.

Acting Australian prime minister, Michael McCormack, had earlier said there would be no mercy if the pigeon was found to be from the US.

“If Joe has come in a way that has not met our strict biosecurity measures, then bad luck Joe, either fly home or face the consequences,” McCormack said.

Martin Foley, health minister for Victoria state where Joe is living, had called for the federal government to spare the bird even if it posed a disease risk.

“I would urge the Commonwealth’s quarantine officials to show a little bit of compassion,” Foley said.

Andy Meddick, a Victorian lawmaker for the minor Animal Justice Party, called for a “pigeon pardon for Joe.”

It is not immediately clear why the bird was wearing a fake leg tag, although racing pigeons can be extremely expensive.

Last year, a Belgian racing pigeon sold for €1.6m. It was bought by a wealthy Chinese bird enthusiast.