PETA’s 15-month undercover investigation of U.S. pigeon-racing operations revealed that in many races, more than 60 percent of birds get lost or die after being forced to fly through storms, being attacked by predators, being shot by hunters, colliding with electrical lines, or succumbing to exhaustion.

Pigeons are fiercely loyal mates and parents as well as complex problem solvers. Racers often exploit these qualities by purposely separating pigeons from their hatchlings and lifelong mates so they will be desperate to fly home. Birds who aren’t “fast enough” are typically killed by suffocation, drowning, neck-breaking, gassing, or decapitation.

Following PETA’s investigation, three race organizers–including the executive director of the American Racing Pig! eon Union, the largest pigeon-racing organization in the country–were charged with violations of Oklahoma’s felony gambling laws. All three pleaded no contest to charges of commercial gambling–the first time in history that anyone has been held responsible for illegal conduct associated with cruel pigeon races.

There are consequences to gambling with birds’ lives. Visit www.PETA.org to learn more.

Jared S. Goodman, director of Animal Law, PETA Foundation, Washington, D.C.