Pacma demands “the cancellation” of costumed pigeons

2024-02-01 23:59:37

The Pacma Animalist Party has demanded “the immediate cancellation” of the procession of costumed pigeons and the offering of these birds that is made every February 2 in Alcalá la Real (Jaén) on the occasion of the Candelaria festival.

The Junta de Andalucía already sanctioned in 2023

In 2023, the Andalusian Government already sanctioned the brotherhood that used disguised pigeons with a fine of 2,001 euros – the minimum established by the Animal Protection Law of Andalusia for infractions considered very serious -. The brotherhood proceeded to voluntarily pay the penalty, so the fine remained at 1,200 euros after applying the legal reduction of 40 percent.

Now, Pacma has filed this Thursday before the Civil Guard a complaint against the Alcalá la Real City Council and the Virgen de las Mercedes and Dulce Nombre de Jesús and Santa Caridad brotherhoods for the organization of the offering of live and disguised pigeons during a procession. The complaint has also been presented to the Government Delegation of the Junta de Andalucía in Jaén.

The exhibition of live pigeons disguised and immobilized

This offering, which is part of the Procession of Our Lady the Crowned Virgin of Mercy and traditional offering of pigeons and cake, involves the display of live pigeons disguised and immobilized. According to Pacma, this is “an illegal practice” for which there has already been a sanction last year.

“Given the recidivism, they could be considered very serious according to Law 32/2007 and entail fines of between 6,001 and 100,000 euros”

For Pacma, the practice of keep pigeons immobilized during the event “it generates stress and suffering, having resulted in the death of some specimens in previous years.”

For all these reasons, they demand the cancellation of the scheduled “procession and offering of pigeons”, as well as the transfer of the animals to a space where “they can receive adequate care and attention.”

Likewise, in the event that the event takes place, Pacma requests the opening of a sanctioning file by the non-compliance with current legislationwith the imposition of the corresponding sanctions that, “given the repeat offense, could be considered very serious according to Law 32/2007 and entail fines of between 6,001 and 100,000 euros.”