Iranian pigeon lovers may be jailed: newspaper
TEHRAN, Dec 29 (AFP) - Iranians who keep pigeons as pets will face prison
terms in the northeastern city of Mashhad, where an overabundance of the
birds has turned them into pests, the paper Qods reported Tuesday.
Police in Mashhad, an important Shiite pilgrimage centre, "will
crack down on this excessive enthusiasm for pigeons and all persons found
in possession of, or raising or letting pigeons fly will face prison terms
of between six months and three years," it added.
The paper quoted a senior police official as saying police are cracking
down on pigeon raising following "repeated complaints by people from
a number of districts in Mashhad."
Police have reportedly seized over 2,700 pigeons across the city in
recent days, which the paper added are forbidden within a 40 kilometre
(about 25 miles) radius of the airport.
They have also announced a special telephone number for residents who
wish to inform on pigeon raisers.
Links
