Is it unethical to use a water pistol on pigeons that keen s(h)itting on the patio?
Posted by imfinewithastraw@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 275 comments
Pigeon continually sitting on our fence and pooing all over the garden furniture. Husband starting using a water pistol on them and in turn so have the kids. I think some people would frown upon this especially as they all seem to be enjoying it.
EcstaticAdvance684@reddit
Water gun completely fine ,air rifle unethical
brokenbear76@reddit
Actually, it's not unethical at all. Pigeon shit, especially feral pigeon, carries several communicable diseases and shooting them, although a last resort (you must try all other control avenues first) you are quite entitled to shoot them with an air rifle.
I'd caveat that though that the pellet must not leave your property, and carcasses must be disposed of properly.
OP, get some pigeon spikes off Amazon
PreferenceAnxious449@reddit
Why is the air rifle unethical?
Cakeo@reddit
Do the pigeons really deserve to be shot because they are pooing on your furniture?
PreferenceAnxious449@reddit
I asked why the air rifle is unethical.
Cakeo@reddit
Feel like if you're shooting the pigeon rather than scaring them with it, then it would be unethical. Thought from context you could work that out.
PreferenceAnxious449@reddit
You don't seem to understand. I asked why its unethical.
You basically just said "because it's unethical"
You haven't worked anything out, you've just agreed with the premise.
Cakeo@reddit
Because they haven't done anything to deserve being killed.
PreferenceAnxious449@reddit
And killing is unethical?
So again, circular reference.
It's unethical because its unethical.
If you don't mind, I'll just wait until the person I asked the question of actually answers the question.
Cakeo@reddit
I don't think you'll get an answer you're happy with considering you seem to not understand basic English.
I said killing because it's annoying you is unethical.
Suit yourself, you obviously aren't actually looking for an answer, you're just looking for an argument.
PreferenceAnxious449@reddit
I was never looking for you to answer. It wasn't a public poll. I was asking the person who made the statement specifically.
Go away.
Cakeo@reddit
It's a public forum, is this your first time here, 🤣
PreferenceAnxious449@reddit
No
So why are you being so precious about not being important to me?
Get over it
EcstaticAdvance684@reddit
I am the person you wanted an answer from.you seem like an absolute 🔔end. so your not getting one from me.
PreferenceAnxious449@reddit
Ironically, you doubling down on emotions over rationale is exactly what I expected.
EcstaticAdvance684@reddit
Im not emotional over anything you have said just stating you seem like a 🔔end . I bet you go round kicking cats for fun.
front-wipers-unite@reddit
It's more the, killing birds because they're crapping that is unethical.
Ill_Refrigerator_593@reddit
So many people in this thread have obviously never seen an episode of "Stop the Pigeon".
Past-Obligation1930@reddit
12 bore a bit over the top.
LordLuciferVI@reddit
AC10 Warthog, a step too far
Chlorophilia@reddit
Minuteman-III MRV ICBM, a tad excessive.
JonBarghestTheAuthor@reddit
BFG 9000, taking it a little far.
foxhill_matt@reddit
Phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range - steady on there
Aggravating_Ad5632@reddit
Nuke the site from orbit.
AcePlanespotting@reddit
It's the only way to be sure
AdFancy6243@reddit
Rods from god, tone it down a touch
biggles1994@reddit
Dual VX-12 Foehammer Turreted Ultra-Heavy railguns
A tad unnecessary
EngineersAnon@reddit
"There is no overkill. There is only 'open fire' and 'reload.'"
ByteSizedGenius@reddit
Schwerer Gustav would be crossing a line
Inevitable-Debt4312@reddit
A railway line, presumably.
I_Caught_A_Fish@reddit
.45 ACP is right out.
ZoltanGertrude@reddit
If you're going to do a job......
CoachSevere5365@reddit
Punt gun OK, if you have a pond.
mikpgod@reddit
Needs a big pond though
G-reeper66@reddit
So my blunderbuss is ok though?
ICantBelieveItsNotEC@reddit
The question you are asking yourself, is how many times did I discharge my blunderbuss?
In all the excitement, I quite forgot myself!
Exactly how fortunate are you feeling?
Rusty_Tap@reddit
Seeing as you're more likely to kill yourself with a blunderbuss than whatever it is you're shooting at, yeah that'll be fine.
Oxygene13@reddit
From what I've been told, the safest place to be when someone is aiming a blunderbuss at you, is directly in front of it.
Rusty_Tap@reddit
Yes it's a very similar experience to archery with my brother in his youth. You were safest stood right in front of the target than you were anywhere else in a 200 yard radius.
Jezbod@reddit
Filled with their droppings? Apologies to Spike Milligan.
vishbar@reddit
It’s not uncommon to shoot pigeons with a shotgun for pest control purposes.
pangolin_howls@reddit
Depends on the size and location of the garden I suppose.
Think-Committee-4394@reddit
A bit over the top, more on the patio, a leg in next doors jacuzzi
bigdipper2018@reddit
Unethical based purely on your own beliefs.
pharmamess@reddit
Lots of belief systems are rooted in minimising harm to living creatures as much as possible. It's not some niche position to be against shooting birds because they shit where you don't want them to shit.
lordrothermere@reddit
There's some pretty strict controls in place to decide when birds qualify as pests and can be legally shot under general license. And furthermore where an air rifle cab be shot, including in which direction. Shooting a pigeon that wasn't demonstrably causing a health risk or destroying crops, and shooting it on a boundary fence is likely to be illegal.
pharmamess@reddit
We were discussing what is ethical, not what is lawful.
Meat2480@reddit
The only ethical thing is wether a neighbours kids are watching when the pigeon/ squirrel/ wabbit drops dead, both are delicious,
The chance of missing and the pellets leaving your boundaries, which is the illegal bit,is not worth the risk unless you have a large garden, and understanding neighbours/ are not overlooked
pharmamess@reddit
I don't think you know what the word "ethical" means.
lordrothermere@reddit
And strict legal frameworks of rights are usually based, at least in part, on ethics.
pharmamess@reddit
That's true but I wouldn't agree that what is legal makes a particularly good proxy for what is ethical.
lordrothermere@reddit
It might not be a good proxy for what you feel is ethical, but it tends to reflect a discourse on competing rights within a liberal democratic legislature, political culture and legal system.
For example, I feel it's more ethical to shoot and dress your own kill than it is to just eat meat from a supermarket or a McDonald's. The general license for shooting birds does not agree with me, and birds under general license have to be acting as a pest or they are fully protected. The law places the rights of these birds higher than claim to the right to hunt my own food, but below the rights of farmers to protect their crops and the right to public health. And this seems a reasonable ethical compromise.
pharmamess@reddit
Call me cynical but it appears to me that the law reflects the interests of the economically powerful, as demonstrated by your example of restricting ordinary people from producing their own food.
lordrothermere@reddit
I don't think pigeons are that wealthy 😁. Perhaps in lifestyle, so long as they can avoid the sparrowhawks.
pharmamess@reddit
Ordinary people aren't that wealthy either.
okaycompuperskills@reddit
I’m a vegetarian but I’d shoot a pigeon no bother at all. Pigeons are rats of the air
Frohus@reddit
what about nukes?
WorldlySalad@reddit
A nuclear bomb would destroy not only the garden, but would affect the neighbours lives too. Sorry to be serious but it would definitely be too much.
Salassi22@reddit
Remember, it's always quicker to switch to your water balloons than it is to reload
Charliewood9@reddit
Knife the watermelon
Salassi22@reddit
Hmm, your fruit killing skills are remarkable, WoT kiNdA nAmE Iz SoAp?
Michael_of_Derry@reddit
You make sure there is a good backstop for the .50 BMG.
NguPhu@reddit
Punt gun - unethical+
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_gun
pangolin_howls@reddit
Depending on the general licence it can be legal or illegal. But using a suitable air rifle on pigeons isnt unethical.
Miserable-Ad7835@reddit
Unethical but more effective.
visitingshortly@reddit
What a strange thing to care about. They are a pest that irritates and disturbs your quiet enjoyment of property. Of course it’s fine.
ConditionImportant63@reddit
They are still living creatures. It's ok to stop and think if something is humane. They are not pests everywhere. Pigeons are actually wild animals not exclusive to eating chips in city centres, same as seagulls. Like it or not we do have to share our planet with other living things.
visitingshortly@reddit
Feral pigeons are literally categorised as a pest in the UK. You shouldn’t harm them but they are vermin.
We don’t have to share our property with them provided not nesting. Chasing them off is normal and valid. And in no way not humane.
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
except they are not and are not vermin.
It's inhumane if it causes them distress and pain (both which they can feel).
visitingshortly@reddit
So you are saying then bring caught in rain is inhuman? They are vermin and pests.
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
try writing that again. This time in English.
wishful thinking doesn't make it true
visitingshortly@reddit
No defras general license makes it so.
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
Pigeons are not pests despite what pest control propaganda have tried to make people think. They are not vermin.
They're also living creatures hat are intelligent and feel pain.
visitingshortly@reddit
They are literally on the general license for removal by defra they absolutely are pests that can be removed if you have appropriate licenses in place.
WonderfulJury8885@reddit
Our neighbour put some rubber spiked stuff on his fence.
Ok_Translator76@reddit
Weird amount of people in these comments using someone asking about scaring off pigeons with a spray of water as an excuse to laugh about killing them. How dare animals exist in nature.
imfinewithastraw@reddit (OP)
They’re the biggest birds we get in the garden and seem to spend the whole day there. No general issue with them aside from the huge amount of poop they leave behind! Weirdly also seem to attract cats. We never had cats until we had pigeons and have twice now they’ve caught one which has been a horrendous scene! So moving the pigeons on would have many benefits - they’re just not scared of us standing near shouting shoo hence the water pistol approach.
Playful-Pattern8619@reddit
Animals exist outside, humans have invaded their space. Just be kind and move the furniture a little or use a parasol to cover it if it bothers you that much.
Pathetic that your family have made a game out of bothering a poor animal just being.
Teach your kids (and husband) to be decent people, to respect nature and learn to live with it. Birds shit all over my garden. Oh well. I’m glad the birds feel safe there 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️.
People probably find you and your entitled family annoying af, doesn’t mean they can just squirt you all with water.
imfinewithastraw@reddit (OP)
I mean this is just rude. I haven’t squirted them. My husband isn’t from the uk and he was hugely surprised I had a problem with it and thought I would be alone in this. Hence I’ve asked the question. He did it this week and then gave the water pistol to the kids to standby and move him on. No one is trying to hurt the pigeons. Just stop it / them spending hours a day sitting in the same place on the fence.
Playful-Pattern8619@reddit
You’ve also not stopped them from doing it.
It’s just a bird living its life. Leave it be.
No you can’t force it to sit somewhere else. No you shouldn’t let your kids or husband squirt it. You’ve had to ask so it sounds like you know it’s no okay. Just leave wildlife alone they have it hard enough as it is.
Ok_Translator76@reddit
I wasn't commenting on your spraying them, you don't need to justify that to me 🤷🏼♀️ The thing is you can spray them all you like but there's a good chance more will just come along eventually. My main concern outside the mess would be how your kids grow up to view animals if they're enjoying doing this. Id double check there aren't in food sources for them in the immediate area, could it be that someone's feeding them nearby?
imfinewithastraw@reddit (OP)
Sorry I was replying to the other comment about people hating pigeons over other birds not you. We have loads of birds in the garden that come and go. It’s the fact the pigeon spends most of the day here in the same place constantly pooping!
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
no shit, animals have every right to be outside. Just because you have a garden doesn't mean animals can't use it.
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
there's this weird hate people have towards pigeons that they don't seem to have towards other birds. It's especially obvious when they are fine with white doves completely not realising they're the same species just different colour.
JuanitaMerkin@reddit
I looked into this before because we used to have a cat that would try to drag our food recycling bin down the drive.
Apparently it is strongly recommended against and they have been cases in which throwing water at an animal has led to prosecution.
Don’t shoot the messenger!
33backagain@reddit
In the UK you cannot harass a protected species (that’s the law). However, I’m pretty sure you can fire away at a pesky pigeon without any problems.
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
pigeons are not pesky, they're animals that were left to roam because humans had no need for them. It's humans fault we have so many of them in the cities. They are no pests and they're surprisingly clean and, contrary to popular belief, they don't carry diseases easily transmittable to humans. In fact, they're one of the few species that barely ever get bird flu.
okaycompuperskills@reddit
Their shit does spread disease
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46964702
It’s also a slip hazard. It’s perfectly legal to kill pigeons on your property to prevent these things
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
This is such a rare case, it simply does not prove anything. Quite the contrary. Those cases are so incredibly rare that they make the news. Critical thinking, try it.
except it is no.
okaycompuperskills@reddit
Easy tiger. Yeah it is legal. The general licence g141 applies to home owners without certain convictions, and two of the reasons for culling pigeons under it are to prevent slips and fells and to prevent the spread of disease
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wild-birds-licence-to-kill-or-take-for-public-health-or-safety-gl41/gl41-general-licence-to-kill-or-take-certain-species-of-wild-birds-to-preserve-public-health-or-public-safety
Zealousideal-Low3388@reddit
Yeah but they have the audacity to exist. It’s mildly inconvenient occasionally!
Tiny_Cauliflower_618@reddit
Weirdly, some pigeons are endangered, so worth checking which kind you have lol, just in case.
JennyW93@reddit
Okay, but can we water pistol the messenger?
Grimdotdotdot@reddit
Isn't that still shooting?
JennyW93@reddit
Only if you pull the trigger
blenderwolf@reddit
no, it can lead to prosecution
Flonkerton_Scranton@reddit
Can we water pistol the prosecutor?
TheRealVinosity@reddit
My kind of humour.
Qyro@reddit
Pigeons are taking the piss by shitting everywhere, go for it guilt-free.
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
imagine hating an animal for something they can't help and do naturally. Humans are not entitled to ge rid off animals just because they happen to produce excrements.
Stabwank@reddit
If you come home and find a bear shitting on your sofa are you just going to accept that a bear now lives in your house?
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
your garden isn't your house. Animals live outside and can use your garden. You are not entitled to have animal free outside space. The sheer entitlement of even suggesting that.
Stabwank@reddit
So a bear that now lives in your garden is fine?
Qyro@reddit
I never said I hated them, but if they're shitting everywhere, spraying a bit of water at them to shoo them away isn't going to hurt them
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
Then spraying you with water hose is not going to hurt you either if you annoy someone. They're animals, they live outside, you don't get to shoo them just because you don't like them.
cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit
If the animal is trapped or defending a nest or chick then yeah it’s crappy but a bit of water is like rain and flying away in flight response is a regular occurrence for them.
If the kids are enjoying it just for the fun of seeing the birds fly off unharmed then it’s fine.
If they’re gleefully shouting abuse at them while the birds are trapped or being terrorised then yeah that’s worth a second thought.
Have a discussion with that about why it’s ok and that it’s only ok in this particular situation and explain why.
You’re fine. I get checking but you’re fine. :)
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
if they're enjoying scaring a defenseless animal, that's a huge problem and teaches them lack of empathy.
cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit
It has the defense of flight though. They fly away every time you walk near them, they’re fine to fly away from kids shooshing at them with a few sprays of water.
I very much detailed the ways in which it would turn to cruelty and I stand by it.
I’m one of those people who don’t like kids running through flocks of birds to scare them but I acknowledge there are different intentions and different results because of it.
I think we all know the difference between scaring something off and tormenting it.
:)
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
flying is not a defense.
clearly you don't. Want a garden? Accept that birds are going to use it.
PrincessPK475@reddit
It's more ethical than bird spikes or an air/BB gun..... It's less ethical than realising the outdoors belongs to nature and to accept cleaning patio furniture is simply a daily endeavour and that biodiversity is critically important to your gardens health, environmental health, and human health ultimately ....
Involving kids and teaching them to have disdain for animals who inconvenience us and allowing an alignment of fun water gun targets/animal cruelty - however low grade - is where I sucked air between my teeth.... On its own it's really not that deep because they only really get one effective water burst before the bird takes flight ...... but you'd be amazed the long lasting impacts on belief and value systems from relatively minor life lessons... Particular those that were seen as positive or rewarding. Not that deep, but also not brilliant.
There is a stark difference between animal management/control from necessity with fully developed comprehension and turning it into a fun pass time for kids, that's where the ethical conundrum really lies for me, in the lessons taught to the kids, not using water as a pest deterrent per se (all age/maturity dependent ofc).
Water is my go-to recommendation whenever someone is really bothered by wildlife and may very well escalate to harsher measures otherwise. An even more effective solution is to actually provide them with an even better and more lucrative perch in an area of the garden you don't mind them being in - counterintuitively, but works
Personally, just make sure you have a conversation with them to instill compassion, understanding and boundaries.
Had a similar chat with my youngest when I explained the reason we were hitting next doors cat with our supersoaker wasnt because we were being cruel or wanting to scare, but because they were bullying our eldest cat, bit her on multiple occasions and gave her an abscess that got infected and cost a fortune in vet bills....that's just cats being animals and doing what they do.... We were are just communicating strongly to the cat that they aren't welcome in this particular area and it was for the sole purpose of protecting our girl who doesn't leave our garden.... Just this one cat, anywhere outside our garden is fine and he is still a very nice cat.....* It was a very sad necessity..... *
(While privately we may have fist bumped when one of us made a successful shot.... It's morbidly entertaining, adults can grasp that dual truth and understanding of the intricacies - kids can't necessarily...... (Come to think of it, plenty of adults can't necessarily either but ce la vie)
5ubredhit@reddit
[ Removed by Reddit ]
annakarenina66@reddit
If they're getting pleasure out of shooting an animal / hurting / distressing it and their father is encouraging this behaviour I'd be concerned yes . Humans are naturally violent and it's so easy to play into that and turn people cruel. You should move the furniture away from the fence or get into the habit of spraying it instead of the birds.
humans aren't owed a sterile environment with no other life in it.
BraveLordWilloughby@reddit
Nothing wrong with enjoying it. I used to enjoy shooting rabbits with my dad. Shot for a reason, that reason being an overpopulated pest on neighbours land.
Did I enjoy it when I made a good shot and killed a rabbit or two with my little air rifle? Definitely. Does that mean I grew up to be an animal abuser, to not care about animals, or to display concerning behaviour? No.
Hunting animals is perhaps one of the things gs most natural to human beings, and squirming pigeons with a water pistol is essentially simulated hunting.
RolfSonOfAShepard420@reddit
Agreed. Hunters and outdoorsman have more respect for animals and the environment than most.
AllThatIHaveDone@reddit
This is not true in the least. Shooting as a pastime has quite literally ruined landscapes in the UK.
RolfSonOfAShepard420@reddit
Elaborate?
SaltyLilSelkie@reddit
47 million pheasants and partridge released into the UK countryside every year for toffs to shoot has quite a big impact on the countryside
LordLuciferVI@reddit
Yeah that’s not hunting, it’s shooting. Hunting is the killing of animals/game for food
Zealousideal-Low3388@reddit
Driven shoots on estates in Scotland: ancient woodland have been razed to make room for aristocratic fuckfaces to shoot hundreds of grouse.
It’s unproductive, destructive of nature and imho basically sadism.
RolfSonOfAShepard420@reddit
There is a massive difference between pest control and hunting for the pot, and noncing about on horseback chasing foxes with your pals or driven shoots like you say. Nobody but them would have the gall to call that shit hunting.
Zealousideal-Low3388@reddit
So all hunting you love is hunting, all the hunting you don’t love isn’t?
That shit absolutely is hunting, the gall to pretend it isn’t is frankly childish, absurd and I find the idea that you think the rest of us are stupid enough to go along with it insulting
boudicas_shield@reddit
This is a “no true Scotsman” fallacy; it’s untrue and unhelpful.
RolfSonOfAShepard420@reddit
Im almost definitely missing your point but im not Scottish, have never been and know precious little about the place. Im a working class man from the north of england. My hunting experience extends to pest control and poaching rabbits and pigeons in my youth for the pot and the dogs. The guys I associated with knew more about the countryside and what called it home than anyone iv met. My uncle had what seemed like an encyclopedic knowledge of trees and plants. Nobody took anymore than was needed and nobody relished in cruelty. That is what I was getting at, obviously poorly. In future il keep my mouth shut 🫡
AllThatIHaveDone@reddit
The barren landscapes of shooting estates in Scotland are not natural.
Busy-Doughnut6180@reddit
I would argue though that it's not the suffering of the rabbit that you enjoyed (I'd hope), but getting the shot. If OP's family are getting kicks purely out of causing distress to the pigeons (and not "success! We got rid of them!" or "oh that was a good shot!"), then I think that's different.
Adorable_Past9114@reddit
I read that in an Elmer fudd voice, "killed a Wabbit with my wittle air wifle"
SocieteRoyale@reddit
are humans naturally violent though? or does society breed that?
JunkRatAce@reddit
Naturally yes, when survival or health of self or family is threatened every human can be violent.
Put a person alone on an island, steal his food and they will do there utmost to stop you because without it they risk starving and dying.
Society does not cause it but does reinforce it ie tribalism
SocieteRoyale@reddit
you say that confidently but everyday we see corporations, governments, militia take things from people who do not fight back
I would propose a small percentage of humans are predisposed to violence and use it to overpower the majority who simply have no wish to be violent
slade364@reddit
Yes, but in these circumstances fighting back often involves repercussions or immediate death.
SocieteRoyale@reddit
same for the exact circumstances implied on the desert island
slade364@reddit
Someone taking something from you on deserted island is the same as a militia or government doing it?
SocieteRoyale@reddit
if they are bigger amd stronger than you.... yes
JunkRatAce@reddit
Yes I do because it's a fact and has been proven many times the extreme people will go too to survive.
What you talking about is something totally different though and is another area of discussion realistically and as a statement it is totally devoid of context as the question was "are people inherently violent or is it a social construct"
What's been taken? Is the persons life at direct risk? By fighting back is the reward worth the risk Etc etc.
But on its own without details its rather meaningless and very sensationalist.
Zealousideal-Low3388@reddit
That gets into the actually incredibly unsettled argument of “what is violence?”
SteamerTheBeemer@reddit
I am violence.
TryThisAgain_3_@reddit
Humans aren't naturally violent, it's a learned behaviour. But this isn't violence, it doesn't hurt them, just annoys them, the same way the pigeons annoy the OP
Sburns85@reddit
Humans are animals.
trippykitsy@reddit
yes because your little shitter children are learning to hurt animals for fun
Southern-Orchid-1786@reddit
I think the problem is really dependant on age of the kids. Do they realise this is harmless deterrent or are they enjoying being cruel to an animal that is just hanging around looking for crumbs?
starfishwantscoffee@reddit
This is the important thing to find out. If they’re just enjoying bothering an innocent creature it’s not okay and honestly needs to be stopped immediately.
Pretty weird to care that much about bird shit on the patio though. Just use the water gun to clean it off instead of pestering birds. It’s outside birds will shit on it. Way she goes.
Southern-Orchid-1786@reddit
Does seem to be all of them enjoying it per last few words of OPs post - next stop they'll be throwing stones at ducks
ArcticWolf_Primaris@reddit
Also depends on it's power
V65Pilot@reddit
catsnstuff17@reddit
Personally I would classify this as animal cruelty tbh. I hate seeing kids being mean to birds, it's so unpleasant.
Friendly_External345@reddit
A molotov cocktail is probably a step too far, A homemade IED a more acceptable. Basically fuck pigeons, they're wankers
Winster-Cayman@reddit
Rats with wings. Blast ‘em.
No-State-2962@reddit
Water pistol .. fine
Machine gun …. also fine
Dirty, disease ridden scumbags
ThickTadpole3742@reddit
Do you clean the shit off everything or does your husband?
AbsoluteFuckChops@reddit
🤣 These are the hard questions that keep me coming back to Reddit
fightclub246011@reddit
Get a cat
ripnetuk@reddit
You don't need water. They are scared of light, even the tiny led in my phone is enough to make them sod off on a sunny day.
Just turn on the flashlight, and aim at the pesky pigeons.
Laser pointers are also effective for a longer distance approach. A mate of mine once swept one along the row of pigeons above the departure boards at Paddington station, and they all flew off and started doing laps of the station :) it was chaos.
FrisbyKidH222@reddit
Baseball bat maybe?
Bonzothedoggie@reddit
Pigeons - the rats of the air.
pm_me_your_amphibian@reddit
I was ok up until the part you said they’re enjoying scaring an animal. Not ok.
toolazytowalk@reddit
Have this exact problem with pigeons and why are their poos' so bloody big? We have a vizsla who is obsessed with them but all she does is freeze and slowly stalk them. She doesn't chase them until they've finished shitting and take off.
Expert-Tie-1530@reddit
AK47 not appropriate
AbbreviationsCold161@reddit
I use gun emplacements that are either side of the gates to my mansion.
Or a BB pistol - it doesn't really hurt them but gets shot of them - and you can pretend you're James Bond (Partridge style), surprising them around the corner of a wall. And the Mrs too.
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
you've got to be kidding. Just because it doesn't produce blood doesn't mean it doesn't harm them. Animal cruelty at its finest and you're proud of it.
AbbreviationsCold161@reddit
You're so wrong, but clearly emotional about it. A BB pistol is very weak, but clearly you're not informed and merely reacting as though it were an air rifle or some such.
It's always better to inform yourself before commenting on something, which I appreciate is beyond many on here.
gangus_chan@reddit
It's how I got my wife to stop.
imfinewithastraw@reddit (OP)
Best answer
aezy01@reddit
Hi neighbour! It’s a shame, because I used to really enjoy watching your wife do that.
gangus_chan@reddit
Sorry about that but the kids were starting to ask questions
Kind-Elder1938@reddit
you got your wife to stop sitting and pooing on the fence ??????
BrainlessPackhorse@reddit
Me too.
WeakInformation9766@reddit
They used to go around with air rifles and shoot them where i used to work lol
Designer-Risk6047@reddit
You need a pigeon radar hooked up to an axial directed fire solution attached to your hose with a tight beam pulse squirter attachment
pryonic1705@reddit
"tightbeam pulse squirter" - ah I see you're a PornHub affectionado too
Designer-Risk6047@reddit
Radar arrays are known for birds fucking
Unknown_Author70@reddit
lockhead Martin has entered the chat
Designer-Risk6047@reddit
other solutions are available, sampt os quite good but overkill for pigeons
JusticeIsMyOatmeal@reddit
>lockhead Martin
The local weapons expert - you can usually find him in the village pub
a3minutehero@reddit
Pardon the expression, but there are some absolutely wet replies in this thread.
Ell2509@reddit
Water pistol is harmless. The pigeons are not hurt, presumably.
If we are taking "super soakers" with powerful jet streams, maybe. You can tell by looking whether or now the pigeon has been hurt.
Netlifeathome@reddit
Spikes on the fence can help a lot too. Cheap to do and will stop birds landing on it.
Expensive-Draw-6897@reddit
Even better if it's used water or rain water.
MeesterMartinho@reddit
Rats with wings.
Have at them
PerfectPeaPlant@reddit
Yes it’s unethical. For a bird, getting sodden can be dangerous - not only do they lose the ability to fly they can also get hypothermia.
Squirting them with water is cruel, and teaching kids to pick on small animals while not considering their feelings or their safety…well. That’s not a good thing to teach kids. It’s not good at all.
Ballistic-Bob@reddit
Keep it natural… buy a Harris Hawk
moreboredthanyouare@reddit
I'd use an air pistol personally
LittleUglyBug@reddit
Get a cat but I don’t see anything wrong with a water pistol.
filipha@reddit
Nah. All good. You can also install a wooden/metal owl to deter them.
LazyEmu5073@reddit
Here's a picture of a pigeon sat on a fake owl. They don't work because they don't move.
Oxygene13@reddit
So design a mechanical motion activated one then! Can't be hard to make it move it's head every few minutes or squawk when something comes near.
Pigeon-in-a-basket@reddit
they get used to it, unforturnately
hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit
Just make the head spin 360° 24/7.
Present_Resident_651@reddit
Owls don't squawk. They go too-wit too-woo.
silobass@reddit
Not if it’s raining cos they’re too wet to Woo
I’ll get my coat
Trid3ntPeace@reddit
Oxygene13@reddit
Only Tawney owls and one is a request and one is a response. Owls do tend to shriek more than squark I will admit, but the important thing isnt that the animatronic bird is word perfect is its native language, but more than it startles whatever has landed nearby.
Present_Resident_651@reddit
Fair do's. I am unconcerned by the verisimilitude of animatronic avians.
Oxygene13@reddit
Ahh yes thats because we are not the intended audience :)
Sburns85@reddit
Yeah my neighbour had one. The damn pigeon sat on it
LazyEmu5073@reddit
I think a cardboard cut-out owl/kite/etc, dangling from some string in the wind would actually work better than the plastic one in my pic!
mishlufc@reddit
Only works for a little while until they realise it's not actually a threat
RolfSonOfAShepard420@reddit
Keep them on their toes by switching it out with a real owl every now and again
behemuffin@reddit
Or dance around the patio in your owl onesie every Sunday.
Sburns85@reddit
That doesn’t work.
TryThisAgain_3_@reddit
It's not actually harming them in any way, and really is no different to any other animal warding off intruders from their nests. Birds react in a similar way if you got too close to their home
Inevitable-Debt4312@reddit
Ethics is, of course, a different matter.
okaycompuperskills@reddit
As usual LLMs are inaccurate:
The general licence doesnt need to be applied for. You just have to adhere to its terms and not have certain convictions. Basically you have to kill the animal for a specific reason. Here you could say it’s due to disease as it’s well documented that pigeon shit causes illness in humans
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wild-birds-licence-to-kill-or-take-for-public-health-or-safety-gl41/gl41-general-licence-to-kill-or-take-certain-species-of-wild-birds-to-preserve-public-health-or-public-safety
peidinho31@reddit
It will damage the pigeons battery.
Clear-Warthog5655@reddit
Get rid of them at all cost . They are disease ridden vermin. It is not unethical to protect your health.
dimap443@reddit
It is unethical to be shitting on your patio
Ok-Suggestion-7039@reddit
Get a fake owl or hawk.
Visual_Parsley54321@reddit
I did this and herring gulls dive bombed my bedroom window screeching at 4am for 2 weeks.
They have stopped stealing the bird food.
Esexboy101101@reddit
Pigeons are habitual creatures. A few deterrent placed on the fence might be enough. Some rubber spikes could do the trick.
Mr_Reaper__@reddit
Teaching your kids to hate nature and chase it out of "your" space doesn't seem like the best lesson to be teaching them.
Lazy-Objective-1630@reddit
Who are they going to report it to? Pigeon HR? You're not hurting them, you're just telling them to go away.
KiltedBaklava@reddit
Pigeon Detectives
DifferentSwing8616@reddit
Pidgeon Police
Alert_Ad_5750@reddit
I think it’d be better to not teach kids to target animals with any kind of object, a usual water gun is the physically harmless to the birds really but not enjoying and most important may be setting the groundwork’s subconsciously in your child’s brain to be accustomed to behaving in a less than favourable way to animals. I would say NO to that. 👍
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
bird spikes are animal cruelty. Your last line completely contradicts what you said as you seem to be fine with casual cruelty simply because you're not directly inflicting it.
Little_Pink@reddit
Aren’t bird spikes really bad as they can cause permanent injuries? Or am I showing my age and the new ones are uncomfortable but safe and squishy?
Frap_Gadz@reddit
There's no closed season on pigeons so you could shoot them with a 12-bore if you have it and enough space, compared to that a water pistol seems harmless.
ratty_89@reddit
I usually use a .22 air rifle
Adventurous-End-5187@reddit
Air rifle is more acceptable and effective.
PurpleOctopus6789@reddit
Yeah, you're husband is a d*ck. Pigeons are animals who are free to roam, it's not their fault they produce a lot of excitements. Water gun has pressure which can be painful to small animals. And now, he is teaching your children that it's okay to harm animals just because they do what animals do.
Jacktheforkie@reddit
I used to use a sprayer to shoo the gulls away, I never aimed it directly at the bird, but the sudden motion made them fly away, and in the event of a hit they wouldn’t be harmed as it was a pretty gentle spray
MiddleElevator96@reddit
Laser pointer.
underwater-sunlight@reddit
Just dont pistol whip it if you get close enough
Sonnuvah@reddit
Tom_Lehrer has entered the chat
NoodleDoodlesocks@reddit
For the purpose of shooing them I see little problem with. If they start doing it simply for fun then it becomes a problem.
SnooDonuts6494@reddit
They'll probably start to enjoy the cooling shower and free drinks.
Pedantichrist@reddit
A pigeon won’t care about a bit of water, they rather enjoy being wet, but if you are teaching your children to annoy animals for fun then that needs addressing.
No_Chemist2922@reddit
Nope pigeons dont give a f... doubt your water gun would work in the long run though they'll just be back
BigBazook@reddit
Don’t worry about it
TheZag90@reddit
Best not mention the metal-bb rifle I have then…
CreativeAdeptness477@reddit
Better than a bb gun?
Stuspawton@reddit
You’re not killing them, are you?
BlackberryNice1270@reddit
As long as it's just a run-of-the-mill water pistol and not a super soaker I don't see an issue.
TheNinjaPixie@reddit
Pigeons are tough as old boots.
SnoopyLupus@reddit
Yup. Throw old boots at them.
Southern-Orchid-1786@reddit
The issue is that the kids are enjoying targeting an animal that is just doing animal things
WhatYouLeaveBehind@reddit
It's very easily for that to become a learned behaviour in their formative years.
Teaching them to enjoy the suffering of others is a dark path to go down, and this is where it starts.
totential_rigger@reddit
Wait where did he say they are enjoying it?
blenderwolf@reddit
water pistol with regular plain WATER in it sounds fine for keeping them away, no different than rain.
I would watch your kids from trying other substances, as they might get creative after your husband is encouraging them by "enjoying" disturbing a creature for basically existing near you.
LordLuciferVI@reddit
Gravy?
dumbellsngoose@reddit
Piss
Southern-Bandicoot@reddit
Chlorine Trifluoride.
SnoopyLupus@reddit
And my axe!
Sburns85@reddit
dihydrogen monoxide
Jolly_Report4@reddit
Who cares what people think!
Forward_Opposite_789@reddit
I've never thought of that. Brb just filling up my water pistol
AnteaterSnouce@reddit
don't be harsh with it, and don't say witty lines when you hit them about how flappable they are, or whatever. you aren't bond. but apart from that, yeah i guess? they get rained on a bunch and seem pretty much fine with it.
PsychologySpecific16@reddit
Yes
strokes a Remmington while laughing
Rich_27-@reddit
A Remington electric shaver?
No need to shave the bird, that is another level
PsychologySpecific16@reddit
A bald pigeon is a shamed pigeon
SpectralDinosaur@reddit
Unethical or not, I don't think it's a great thing to encourage in your kids.
Besides, the birds are just doing what they do. You're the one that decided to slap a patio down in the middle of their toilet.
totential_rigger@reddit
I cannot see how a water pistol could be unethical as they have absolutely crap water pressure. Stick with that and you'll be fine.
Btw statues of owls are proven not to be effective so ignore any suggestions
Infinite_Spring_3564@reddit
I don’t even think it’s unethical to use a water pistol on someone playing tiktoks out loud in public.
cari-strat@reddit
We found they were startled by the light of a laser pointer shining near them. On the odd occasions we've needed to keep them away from something that was awkward to physically block off, like a newly painted surface, we've found half an hour of moving them away with the light seems to deter them for a few days, without doing any actual harm.
bluejackmovedagain@reddit
I feel like it's fine as long as it's not a high pressure one. It might be a bit mean on a cold/windy day.
totential_rigger@reddit
They are totally used to heavy rain. Even on a cold and windy day they will be just fine...
AcidHouseMouse@reddit
As someone who has rehabbed pigeons, they often love getting hosed. Maybe not too aggressively mind. But they will probably learn to like it especially in this weather.
antlered-god@reddit
No. Nothing wrong with it
Ochib@reddit
https://youtu.be/QNA9rQcMq00?si=iYxqJwGHgf-6Obx6
Agreeable_Cod_2585@reddit
12 gauge should do the job
Zealousideal-Air574@reddit
The 20 mm Land-Based Centurion C-RAM
With radar controlled rapid fire with M940 MPT-SD (multi-purpose tracer, self-destruct) shells would be better suited personally
Kind-Elder1938@reddit
all enjoying it? the children or the pigeons?
oscarx-ray@reddit
Depends on the type of pigeon, if you are targeting their nests, or if what you do constitutes as cruelty.
Putting up deterrents would be a safer bet, so long as you don't interfere with their nests when doing so.
Fatal-Eggs2024@reddit
I don’t think that will be as effective as bird spikes or statue of an owl. Were you planning on sitting out there 24x7?
pipspawn@reddit
It's only ethical if the animals agrees to it.
prustage@reddit
Yes. It's wasteful. Water is a natural resource and is in short supply in many parts of the world.
I use a nerf gun instead.
insertitherenow@reddit
Nah. Paintball gun yes. Water no. They’ll soon stop coming.
Past-Obligation1930@reddit
They’ll stop coming faster with the paintball gun, on account of being dead.
insertitherenow@reddit
I did buy a paintball gun for the foxes though.
Zealousideal-Air574@reddit
Air rifle is more practical
ExcitingCriticism524@reddit
My grandad use to use one of those cheap BB guns for £3 from the corner shop.
funnystuff79@reddit
Upgrade to an air rifle, and learn how to ensure a kill shot, don't let them suffer.
MeatGayzer69@reddit
Smart thinking
CorrectTemperature65@reddit
and now look into using a camera system to point the water pistol automatically at the birds and shoot
PitchOk1448@reddit
It's ethical as long as you don't enjoy it.
AutoModerator@reddit
Please help keep AskUK welcoming!
When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.