Ferryhill pigeon owner devastated as 150 birds are beheaded

The grisly scene was discovered on Friday, July 29, at the Broom Allotments, in Ferryhill, County Durham, when the man found that his pigeon shed had been broken into and most of the birds had had their heads pulled off.

A small number of pigeons survived the attack.

KILLED: Around 150 birds have been beheaded in the early hours of Friday morning at Broom Allotments, Ferryhill Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

Fellow allotment holders cleaned up the scene on behalf of the distraught elderly owner, who is too upset to talk about the incident, and does not want to be identified.

Stephenie Bowron, secretary of the Broom Allotments and Smallholders Association, said the lock on the front of the shed had been smashed by those who carried out the attack.

She said: “I am sickened by what we witnessed.

“He walked in on Friday morning and found that the majority of his pigeons had no heads.

“There was only a couple left that were still alive.

“We have no idea who did this.

“It has come completely out of the blue.

“The owner has flown pigeons all of his life and he is devastated.

“We are all extremely angry and many of us, like myself, cannot settle and constantly keep walking around and checking on things.

“We have had a few thefts before from the allotments but nothing like this kind of animal cruelty has happened before.”

Mrs Bowron urged anyone who knew anything about the incident or who knew those responsible for carrying out the attack to come forward.

She added: “If anyone has any information at all, please contact the police.

“It is just so sickening.”

Durham Police confirmed that the incident was reported at about 9.15am on Friday morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call the force’s non-emergency number, 101, or call independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.