First, I want to say sorry. I’m sorry people are so fucked up that they think it’s totally OK to be so cruel to you. They call you “gross,” “rats with wings,” “nasty creatures,” and “filthy.” They let their kids and dogs run after you and think it’s funny. They crush you with cars without remorse. So many of you have missing limbs and other injuries we’ve caused – sometimes on purpose. People can be real sadistic assholes sometimes, and Pigeons, you are the unfortunate victims of our worst tendencies.
I don’t think most people realize how horrible they are to you. At least I hope not. If they truly stopped to think that you are living, breathing animals with intelligence and feelings, things might be different for you. If only they took a moment to know you better and not just see you through their limited human experience, they might get to like you and root for you, like I do.
Recently, my boyfriend and I adopted a dog – Benny! – from Taiwan. In Benny’s country, dogs are kinda treated like pigeons, as throwaway animals. The streets are overpopulated with strays and ferals. It’s common for pet owners to decide that they simply don’t want their furry friends anymore and abandon them to fend for themselves. Luckily, dogs are smart, resilient, and resourceful. They survive, but their lives in these urban environments aren’t so great. They scavenge for food among the scraps on the street or, if they’re lucky, live off of handouts. They suffer disease and injuries because they’re constantly dodging cars, traps, starvation, meaner dogs, and even meaner people. They’re often smelly and dirty, and their natural behaviors (barking, pooping, peeing, chasing things) annoy and frighten people. This all sounds familiar, right?
It’s true that many of you are dirty, but how can we expect anything to live among our filth to be clean? We dump trash, chemicals, oil, cigarette butts, and all our crap (sometimes literally) on the streets you live on. I don’t think any of us would smell or look very good if someone were constantly throwing their detritus directly into our homes and expecting us to bathe in filthy, stagnant water.
It takes guts to be you, and I see that every day. You walk among us, even as we kick at you and insult you; some people call you dumb for that without realizing it’s a necessity for you to live near us. We’re the ones who provide you with food, with buildings where you sleep and create nests. And for all those who ask, “Why don’t they go somewhere else?”, where the hell do they expect you all to go? We’ve taken over the best livable spots and aren’t willing to share our spaces. At the same time, we send you mixed messages by leaving out damn-good food for you to peck at to your hearts’ content.
And really, even if you Pigeons are as dumb as people say you are (“bird brained,” as we call it), how messed up are WE to abuse you for it? Isn’t it illegal when we do that to other less-capable humans?
So, Pigeons, I’m sorry. I hope my letter will change some of my fellow humans’ minds and hearts to treat you better. But please know that there are a few of us who are your fans and friends. We think you’re pretty brave.
Written by Sarah Han.
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