Letter: Cruelty to birds is unacceptable

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1999 | 9:23 a.m.

I don't know Wilhelmina, but I relate to her pain and outrage because I, too, have witnessed the terrible deaths of not only pigeons, but song sparrows, towhees, mourning doves and red breasted finches. They will never sing again. What example are we setting for our children with this hideous cruelty? Just because a bird can't scream in agony like a cat or dog does this give these bird butchers authority to destroy birds? There is no excuse for cruelty.

There are other ways to control birds. But pest control companies kill for money. They scare people into believing pigeons -- an ancient bird who has been around forever and done wonderful things for humanity -- are disease carriers and thought of as "rats." They carry no more diseases than dogs or cats or people do!

But the pest control companies want you to hate pigeons and obviously they are doing a good job of it because birds are dying all over town and cruelty is accepted as a "remedy." Think how you feel when you are sick. When you are in pain. Add terror and helplessness and what do you feel? If they evict Wilhelmina they are un-American, cruel people.

JOY CARTER