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?

Sorry, Llamazoom. Misread you.

'"I regard city pigeons as dirty so I don’t mind children chasing them off ..." Mintjulia

Why are city pigeons 'dirty', as opposed to other pigeons? How do you explain to children that it's all right to torment some creatures, but not others?

can't stand parents who let thier (usually) little boy chase them. in the yard i work in i shout at the parents who let their kids do this. fucking bang out of order. 'boys will be boys' is fucking bollocks/lazy parenting

can't stand parents who let thier (usually) little boy chase them.

girls run just as well as boys, chasing pigeons or not. Never have I seen more boys than girls doing it...

well i usually observe more boys doing it more than girls so there

I think city pigeons are dirty, their faeces spreads disease and is everywhere. I wish people would stop feeding them and littering so there'd be less of them about. They are only there because apparently people are incapable of keeping their habitat clean. Not fussed about dc chasing away gulls at the local park since one of the feckers stole my blt when I went to push the swings.

Parent who don't stop their kids from doing this are arseholes and so are their kids. Can't see why anyone would think it acceptable. Control your brats!

I agree. I tell my DC not to chase them.

Why are pigeons 'rats with wings'? Why are they considered lesser birds? They don't eat meat. They are just a breed of birds trying to survive.

It’s harmless. I wouldn’t care tbf

Yanbu. It is very annoying. And it’s cruel towards the pigeons too.

Some people are cunts. Their attitudes stink. Fair few on here. Bet their kids radiate their attitudes. To allow your child to terrorise any animal speaks volumes about the patents. There is NO justifiable reason to allow your brat to scare an animal. Fucking idiots

@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.

You should be arrested.

@beethecrackon24995

Some people are cunts. Their attitudes stink. Fair few on here. Bet their kids radiate their attitudes. To allow your child to terrorise any animal speaks volumes about the patents. There is NO justifiable reason to allow your brat to scare an animal. Fucking idiots

They’re not terrorised. If they were scared they wouldn’t hang around in heavily populated places. I’m pretty sure there’s not much sympathy for other vermin and an infestation of rats or mice would be dealt with without all this sentimental claptrap.

No she should get a medal. Your bird torturing brats should be cages.

YANBU. It's horrible behaviour and should be discouraged by parents. I think it's important to teach children to be kind to all creatures, and to explain that scaring or hurting any animal or bird for "fun" is wrong.

My kids were never allowed to do that, it's really unkind.

I have no issues with my 3 year old Dd chasing them (along with Indian Minars)
We don’t chase native birds like cockatoos, bin chickens or magpies but introduced birds are fair game.

Here they Invasive so I figure a 3 year old running through a flock is the least of there worries considered they are often caught in nets and destroyed or poisoned.

What's the difference between native birds and introduced birds which would lead you to show respect for one and to dismiss the effects your child's actions will have on the other? Are only native birds able to feel fear if they are chased?

It’s just something kids do

Well unless you, you know, teach them not to...

Here they Invasive so I figure a 3 year old running through a flock is the least of there worries considered they are often caught in nets and destroyed or poisoned.

It’s not the birds and their life really. It’s that your child is being taught that it is fine to torment an animal for fun. Even worse that you can be cruel to one type of bird but not another. What kind of lesson is that?

Both my DS’s fo this, it’s a natural fun thing - however I stop them immediately! Completely wrong to allow children to chase any animal.

Animal cruelty wise - If anyone told me off for my kid doing this I would hope they themselves practiced what they preach entirely. Basically a vegan who wears no animal by products, ensures their toiletries are animal cruelty free, doesn't own a pet, never visits a zoo or petting farm... then I would accept the attempt to educate me. Otherwise it's double standards and we'll agree to disagree.
Hobia wise - I get you might not like a pigeon flying near you. In an ideal world it wouldn't happen. I am terrified of dogs off leads and sick of cats shitting in my garden. But other people's choices and preferences mean I'm stuck with it.

Phobia not Hobia

@Scout2016

Animal cruelty wise - If anyone told me off for my kid doing this I would hope they themselves practiced what they preach entirely. Basically a vegan who wears no animal by products, ensures their toiletries are animal cruelty free, doesn't own a pet, never visits a zoo or petting farm... then I would accept the attempt to educate me. Otherwise it's double standards and we'll agree to disagree. Hobia wise - I get you might not like a pigeon flying near you. In an ideal world it wouldn't happen. I am terrified of dogs off leads and sick of cats shitting in my garden. But other people's choices and preferences mean I'm stuck with it.

Rubbish - you can't compare letting and enjoying your children chase/torment animals for fun to wearing a leather shoe or eating a chicken nugget. Not surprising that this was bought up though as those that think it's acceptable to let your children do this will use any excuse to make it sound ok.