A striking number of prize pigeons are being stolen in Belgium, with the Royal Belgian Pigeon Federation even speaking of "a plague of thefts" this autumn.
Christmas Eve ended sadly for pigeon fancier Vincent Schroeder from Hoeselt (Limburg province). While he was having dinner at his mother-in-law's house, thieves tried to steal his prize pigeons.
"I saw the thieves on the surveillance footage," Schroeder explained on Flemish radio. "Two men were standing at my chicken coop, which is at the back of the pigeon coop. At one point, you can see that they want to make an attempt to enter, but then my alarm goes off and they run away."
When he got back home, he found the wire had been completely cut but nothing wrong with the coop itself. "So it was a failed attempt, but I did get quite a shock." Schroeder recently won an important competition in pigeon racing in Barcelona. Since then, he has been extra careful.
'Very regrettable'
Schroeder is by no means the only pigeon fancier to be targeted by thieves, says the Royal Belgian Pigeon Federation (KBDB).
"In recent months, there has been a theft or attempted theft every week," chair Pascal Bodengien told VRT. "A gang is said to be going around pigeon fanciers who perform very well. This is a big problem: for many, pigeon racing is their income and even their life. No pigeons also means no work."
Every year there is a rise in pigeon fancier thefts during the winter months, but this year is worse than usual, according to the KBDB. "The phenomenon has been going on for about four years, but we notice that this year it is happening more than usual. It is a problem that occurs in all provinces."
Bodengien knows of at least 12 thefts that were reported in the last two months but added that there are also pigeon fanciers who do not report the thefts, so the number is likely even higher. "It is a very regrettable matter."
To combat the thefts, the KBDB advises pigeon fanciers not to say anything about their racing pigeons. "Do not give any information about where your pigeons are. That only feeds people with bad intentions. If you do become a victim, report it to the police as soon as possible and also report the theft to us."
