Thousands of pigeons disappeared during a race over the weekend after setting off from the starting line in Peterborough. The Independent reported that 5,000 of 9,000 pigeons had vanished, but a Cambridge newspaper today reported that all the racing pigeons have gone missing.

Pigeon fanciers have speculated that solar wind activity could have disrupted the pigeons’ navigation using the Earth’s magnetic field. Whether the pigeons are still alive or will survive is unclear, but according to campaigners many pigeons routinely die during races, which can span distances from 60 to 600 miles. They can get caught in storms, become exhausted or disoriented, starve, be killed by predators, and have collisions with power lines.

Races over water are particularly risky. In 2013, an investigation by PETA found that, on average, less than a quarter of the tens of thousands of pigeons made to fly in races across the English Channel each year survived the journey. As they fly close to the water, they can be swept underwater by waves. Without anywhere to land for more than 100 miles over the Channel, they can become exhausted and drown. 

Another PETA investigation last year revealed a huge death toll of pigeons sent to South Africa to race the South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race (SAMDPR), in which they fly for hundreds of miles in high temperatures. According to the head trainer of the SAMDRP, 1,200 birds died during their mandatory quarantine after arriving in the country due to a virus that spread between the confined birds. Of the 373 pigeons sent by UK fanciers, only 44 survived. Eight of the dead belonged to the Queen; PETA has a petition asking her to end her involvement in pigeon racing.

Pigeons are also frequently killed by fanciers, according to PETA. Birds who don’t do well in races and aren’t selected for breeding have their necks broken, and winners that are chosen for breeding are auctioned off to live out the remainder of their days in breeding mills. Around 2.5 million pigeons are raised for racing in the UK every year by more than 40,000 registered pigeon fanciers. In the UK, pigeon racing became a popular hobby of the working class in the 19th century. Nowadays, big races can net the winner six-figure prize money. In some countries, such as the US, illegal gambling is also rife.

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While the fate of the pigeons that vanished over the weekend may remain a mystery, it is very clear what happens to other animals that are forced to race. New data from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain for 2020 shows that 411 greyhounds - 5.5 per cent of the racing population - died or were killed, 200 of them at racecourses, despite a third of races not going ahead due to lockdowns. The cost of medical treatment, being deemed ‘unsuitable’ for rehoming, and sudden death were among the reasons listed for mortalities beyond the track. Meanwhile, 3,575 greyhounds sustained injuries on racing tracks.

Following the release of the data, campaigners have again called for a ban on greyhound racing. Nick Weston, head of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “One death is a death too many, but these figures show how often these dogs are dying for sport after being forced to race on inherently unsafe oval tracks.”

Racing animals are also forced to endure tough weather conditions that will only get worse due to the climate crisis. In response to PETA’s 2013 investigation, the Royal Pigeon Racing Association noted that the “very strange weather patterns” over the previous few summers had “resulted in higher than normal losses when compared to the historic norms”. In 2019, greyhounds were made to race in temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius at the Brighton and Hove Greyhound Racing Stadium, prompting thousands of people to sign a petition to stop the race.

Though animal racing industry associations all claim to have the welfare of the animals at heart, the evidence shows that the nature of these betting sports makes that impossible. Even if the animals were treated well when not racing - which isn’t the case - once they are over the starting line their survival is very much a gamble.

Claire Hamlett is a freelance journalist, writer and regular contributor at Surge. Based in Oxford, UK, Claire tells stories that challenge systemic exploitation of and disregard for animals and the environment and that point to a better way of doing things.

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