DP wants to shoot pigeons nesting under our solar panels

[supersop60]

We have pigeons nesting under our solar panels. They are noisy and make a mess. DP will not listen to me about trying humane methods to get rid of them eg I bought a fake hawk, but he just rolled his eyes and cast it aside.
I saw him this morning putting his air rifle in the car and said he was taking it to have the sight aligned. He wants to shoot the pigeons!
My question is - what do I do now? Im not sure I’m tough enough to call the police on him.
He knows my feelings and opinions on the matter, but he just wants the pigeons gone.
WWYD?

What a horrible bastard. Fuck him off. Massive turn off and I'd be inclined to put a pistol to him n threaten to shoot him. I despise animal abusers.

I haven't read the other PPS because I find this very upsetting, birds are protected in the UK, you need a licence, you also need to get rid of your DP, I definitely would, why can't he find a professional to do the job instead of harming them!

Same here. I read the title and commented, it would upset me too much to know the ins and outs of it. Thank you for your more sensible worded approach. I just saw red 😡

Not being funny but if he has to get somebody else to 'align his sight' then he's clearly not going to be skilled enough to accurately shoot them without risk of damage to the panels.

Sight alignment is eye, aperture, sight, target. That's reliant on his own position and hold and moving himself about so that the rifle is pointing naturally at his target. So the first three of the marksmanship principles. He presumably means zeroing the rifle so that the sights are aligned to the correct distance he will be firing. For which he needs to know the distance accurately and dial them in himself on a target set at the correct distance. If he isn't doing that he isn't going to safely and humanely succeed.

That's the shooting side of it. The opinions on other matters are already covered by others.

Not being funny but if he has to get somebody else to 'align his sight' then he's clearly not going to be skilled enough to accurately shoot them without risk of damage to the panels.

Sight alignment is eye, aperture, sight, target. That's reliant on his own position and hold and moving himself about so that the rifle is pointing naturally at his target. So the first three of the marksmanship principles. He presumably means zeroing the rifle so that the sights are aligned to the correct distance he will be firing. For which he needs to know the distance accurately and dial them in himself on a target set at the correct distance. If he isn't doing that he isn't going to safely and humanely succeed.

That's the shooting side of it. The opinions on other matters are already covered by others.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

And woodpigeons are excellent eating. I've never tried feral pigeon but they are the same species that used to be kept in cotes for eating.

That’s awful and actually illegal, all wild birds and their active nests are protected. He should have gotten wire meshing all around the solar panels when they were first installed to prevent any birds getting underneath them in the first place. I’d be saying if he shot them then we’re over. How cruel

What happens when more come?
And the time after that?

He’s an idiot.

Do read the posts above
it is not always illegal to shoot pigeons
just not the answer here

Thank you everyone for your input. It gives me ammunition (sorry) for talking to him again.
The reason we didn’t get net when they were fitted (15 years ago) was that it wasn’t mentioned by the fitters. Unless DP said no at the time snd didn’t tell me. I had no idea that pigeons would nest under them, snd they’ve only been doing so for the last couple of years.
They do make a mess - poo and feathers in the gutter and on the ground, but otherwise they don’t bother me.
I’ll keep you posted.

^ This. I'd really question staying with a man whose thought was to kill innocent animals.

Humanely dispatching a pest isn’t animal abuse. Though I agree that the OPs husband would be abusing them as it is apparent he does not know how to do it humanely……

It's illegal to shoot wild birds.

Can You Shoot Pigeons with an Air Rifle UK?
In short, yes, but only under strict conditions outlined in government-issued general licences. You cannot shoot pigeons recreationally, for sport, or "just because they're in your garden." All wild birds are protected, but feral pigeons and woodpigeons can be controlled for specific permitted purposes.
Under UK law, pigeons are protected wild birds. This means you must follow the General Licence rules, which explain when you can shoot certain birds for pest control. Air rifles are suitable for this task when used correctly and legally.
Key requirements:

• You must act under a relevant general licence (no individual application needed, but full compliance required).
• You need written permission from the landowner (or be the landowner/occupier).
• Shooting must only occur on private land with a safe backdrop—pellets must not leave the permission area.
• Actions must be justifiable (e.g., preventing serious damage or health risks).
• Sub-12 ft-lb air rifles (no FAC required) are legal and commonly used for this

https://www.air-arms.co.uk/learning-centre/can-i-shoot-pigeons-with-an-air-rifle-a-full-uk-guide

15 years ago it may not have been so common. The fitter I was listening too was about 5 years ago when he was describing it as part of the process.