Letter: Flying rats

Sunday 29 August 1999 23:02 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Your picture of pigeons in Trafalgar Square eating off a visitor's tongue (Review, 26 August) may have been posed. But it is very representative of the silly, dangerous antics of thousands who feed pigeons.

To touch a disease-carrying pigeon is, for an adult, irresponsible. For a parent to allow a child to do so is neglectful in the extreme.

Pigeons are not "nice" and they are certainly not hungry. By feeding the creatures we are promoting year-round breeding, thus swelling the numbers of as seriously hazardous "flying rat".

In the interests of public health, pigeons in urban areas should be poisoned. There was a song about this, wasn't there?

JIM BRUNTON

Edinburgh

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

Letter: Flying rats

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering