On This Day, 20 September 1918

Birmingham Daily Post 

Friday 20 September 1918

TAKING HOMING PIGEONS

SMETHWICK MAN’S EXPENSIVE NEGLECT.

At Smethwick, yesterday, John Hammond, 69, Pope Street, Smethwick, was summoned for “taking two pigeons between July 1 and 28,” and also with “having found two pigeons incapable of flight, neglected forthwith to hand them over or send to some military or police office the information.”

Mr. J. S. Sharpe, prosecuting, said these cases were previously taken under the Larceny Act, but they had become so serious that the authorities had decided to take them under D.O.R.A. Homing pigeons had become a valuable asset. They had done such good work at the front that the authorities had decided that they should be protected.

Major Simpson said the officer commanding the pigeon services expressed the opinion that there was no doubt a good deal of shooting, trapping, and detaining of pigeons. Although these birds were not military, the owner might be called on to supply birds for the army. It was possible that the birds have important messages on them, and it was essential that any that were taken should at once be given up.

A fine of £10 9s. was imposed.