A HAWK attacking racing pigeons was caught on camera.
The incident occurred just days after the Examiner revealed how Brighouse pigeon fancier Harry Reid feared for the future of the pastime after losing his birds to hawks.
Legally, all pet owners are powerless to stop hawks attacking anything from birds to cats and even dogs.
A sparrowhawk was caught swooping on pigeons exercising on the loft of Harry’s son, Barry, who also lives in Brighouse.
It came down from on high and aimed at one of his prize pigeons and was able to grab it – but the pigeon escaped and was able to fly off.
Harry, 65, said: “This shows what we face and yet we cannot do anything to protect our pigeons on our own property because hawks are protected by law.
“It would be the same if it came down for a small dog, cat, rabbit or any other pet – we can do nothing.
“I cannot accept that no-one in government thinks it’s fair that we cannot protect our own property.”
At the start of this year’s racing season, Harry Reid had 25 pigeons – he now has just eight.
Son Barry said: “We were lucky this time that the pigeons got away, but often they don’t come back.
“It’s unusual for hawks to attack at this time of the year – usually it’s over for the year and it starts up again next spring.”
Breeding of the protected birds has led to an increase in towns and cities and the pigeon fanciers say that has led to a decrease in their birds.
Father and son, in addition to other pigeon fanciers who fear for the future of the sport, have called for the RSPB to stop putting nesting boxes in urban areas. They say it would be a fair compromise to ensure the survival of all birds.
“We are bird lovers, but we’re not getting a fair chance,” Barry added.
The RSPB says the boxes it puts in high locations in towns and cities are in keeping with the natural habitat of hawks and that the loss of racing pigeons could be the result of them getting lost.
