To think kids should not chase pigeons

[greentreesdream]

I’m aware miserable bastard of the year award might belong to me but it pisses me off when I’m quietly making my way through a town or city centre and a flock of alarmed pigeons come flying towards me at eye-level.

There’s also something horribly aggressive in kids who stamp at them.

AIBU / miserable or do others agree it’s a bit of a shitty thing to do?

Last time I saw children doing this in the park, I spoke to the accompanying adults, and asked them how they'd like an adult chasing, kicking and shouting at their children.

The adults ignored me, so I shouted at the little bastards, one started bawling its eyes out, the other stood stock still. I drew the line at kicking/chasing them, but they were scuttled away pretty swiftly.
Spotted them about a week later, and the Mother shepherded them away pretty sharpish.

Well I bash a saucepan lid to get rid of the crows & magpies from my garden otherwise the other birds don't get a look in. Is this cruel? Is it any worse than a child chasing pigeons? Should we ban scarecrows as their intended purpose is to scare crows?

@Alsohuman Kids are hardwired to chase pigeons. I’ve never come across one that doesn’t do it.

Not surprised at your choice of name; you probably feel the need to remind people that you are human.
Alegedly.

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay

Last time I saw children doing this in the park, I spoke to the accompanying adults, and asked them how they'd like an adult chasing, kicking and shouting at their children.

The adults ignored me, so I shouted at the little bastards, one started bawling its eyes out, the other stood stock still. I drew the line at kicking/chasing them, but they were scuttled away pretty swiftly.
Spotted them about a week later, and the Mother shepherded them away pretty sharpish.

If you tried shouting at my children, I’d have filmed you and reported you to the police for harassment and threatening behaviour. Id also tell you to shut up.

It’s not cruel or distressing for a small child to wander over by pigeons and watch them move on. I’ve herded geese and other birds. Just because birds are moving away from you as you approach them, it doesn’t mean they are distressed. They are just giving way to a larger animal. The same way if you met a bear, you’d give it a wide berth.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay

so I shouted at the little bastards, one started bawling its eyes out, the other stood stock still. I drew the line at kicking/chasing them, but they were scuttled away pretty swiftly.
Spotted them about a week later, and the Mother shepherded them away pretty sharpish

You ought to spend more time under
your blanket....

You'd love our family.

Chasing pigeons off our crops is actively encouraged in these parts.

This post is about children chasing animals for their and their parents amusement not about children or adults stopping them eating crops or making sure other birds get a look in on the food in your garden.

[quote EveryDayIsADuvetDay]**@Alsohuman* Kids are hardwired to chase pigeons. I’ve never come across one that doesn’t do it.*

Not surprised at your choice of name; you probably feel the need to remind people that you are human.
Alegedly.[/quote]
Yes, remarkably clever. If I had £1 for that highly (un)original quip, I’d be off to the Caribbean as soon as travel there is permitted.

@PlanDeRaccordement

It’s not cruel or distressing for a small child to wander over by pigeons and watch them move on. I’ve herded geese and other birds. Just because birds are moving away from you as you approach them, it doesn’t mean they are distressed. They are just giving way to a larger animal. The same way if you met a bear, you’d give it a wide berth.

Or about children "wandering" over to them 🙄

I don’t let my children chase or frighten animals and I also discourage them from being unkind to teddies (as PP said). I don’t even like animals, it just doesn’t feel right to me.

If aliens got within range of observing life on Earth they'd say 'We're not landing there. They're still tormenting and eating each other'.

Charging at pigeons is not “wandering”!

I take it you're vegetarian if you don't agree with animal cruelty

Well I am actually but as I said on the first page, I’m actually not coming from this from an angle of concern about traumatised pigeons but I honestly think it’s anti social as fuck to send them up in a panic and flapping around people.

It just screams bratty kid. Sorry but it does.

My kids are polite, kind, loving No, they're ill mannered and badly brought up. Its a shame their parents aren't competent enough to teach them that scaring those weaker than you isnt acceptable.

And the one who can't stop her 2 year old? The fuck is up with that? He's not dead so apparently you can stop him running into the road and can therefore stop him running after scared birds, you just can't be bothered to parent him.

I'm sorry but I have nothing but utter contempt for those who think animals don't matter and its fine to terrify them for the amusement of the arrogant little brats they're dragging up.

Terrifying birds?I think that's nonsense. If they were terrified they would not keep returning to the same spot. Scummy behaviour to chase them, yes, I agree and didn't let mine do it but to say chasing them off terrifies them is ludicrous.i havent noticed the magpies or crows dropping dead with fright, no, they treat me with contempt and lie in wait, skulking on the roof waiting to return, the bastards. The crows ingenuity is amazing, I'm not completely heartless & they can be fascinating to watch but I don't want a garden full so they have to go.

I hate it, both my 2 and 4 year old aren't allowed to do this. I think it sends them the wrong message that they don't need to respect animals or their environment.

Its teaching children to torment animals for fun. Of course it's wrong. Teach your kids to live and let live and to respect all animals.

Eldest DS is scared of birds so wouldn't do this but it's not something I have actually really thought about. DS 2 and 5 haven't done this yet but I don't know if I would have thought too much info it. Maybe the fact they aren't doing it means they already have compassion for animals and wouldn't think too in the first place?

I'll make sure to discourage it now if they ever show an interest in doing it!

YANBU. It's naughty. I did it when I was a kid, that doesn't mean it's OK to do.

Not many pigeons where I live but plenty of overfed giant seagulls who hang out in the local park, park has a cafe so plenty of leftovers for them, I hate seeing kids chase them, children shouldn’t chase, kick at, stamp near or shout at any creature. Mine never did it although we did often feed them chips. It is bratty behaviour.

Well, chasing seagulls after your chips is more like self defence so I do understand that!

@greentreesdream they are not scared a jot of humans and come very close, I look in their little beady eyes and I swear there is more intelligence in a seagull than many other birds. It’s sort a cruel mocking look they give you. I’m very fond of seagulls and raised one that fell out the nest on top of my chimney, he became so tame he would sit in the corner of the kitchen until one day he flew away, I’m not ashamed to say I shed a tear.

@flowerycurtain

You'd love our family.

Chasing pigeons off our crops is actively encouraged in these parts.

That is different. You need to do that. This is about children finding FUN in tormenting an animal.