King's racing pigeons bought by animal-welfare group Peta
- Published
An animal-rights group says it has bought and rehomed three pigeons from the King's estate in Sandringham, arguing that pigeon racing is cruel.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has written to King Charles urging him to end any association with pigeon racing.
The campaigners say long-distance races have too high a casualty rate.
In response, a Sandringham spokesperson said its pigeon loft "adheres to all standards and regulations required".
And Chris Sutton, chief executive of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, said: "We totally oppose the statement that pigeon racing is a cruel sport."
Mr Sutton, head of the body that governs the sport in the UK, added: "We recognise that racing pigeons are intelligent birds and always prioritise their health and wellbeing."
One of the pigeons that has been bought by the animal-welfare campaigners
But the animal-welfare campaigners say that pigeon racing is an "often fatal pastime" for the birds - and that they bought the pigeons at auction "to spare the birds further suffering".
In their letter to King Charles, they say the pigeons they bought are now "getting the royal treatment" in a sanctuary for birds in Wales.
In particular, they criticise pigeon races that cross the English Channel, claiming these "kind and loyal animals" are forced to take part in exhausting, disorientating flights, in which many do not survive.
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There has been a pigeon loft at Sandringham for 150 years, but the animal-rights group says it "urges King Charles to cut ties with the cruel pigeon racing industry and turn his loft into a sanctuary for these magnificent birds".
The letter to the King says the three retired pigeons have been renamed "Vera, Cliff, and Dover in honour of the late Dame Vera Lynn", the singer who in later life became an opponent of pigeon racing.
Peta says it bought the pigeons earlier this year at a charity auction, for which the sale of the King's pigeons was advertised with a royal insignia on X, formerly Twitter. The sales documents show the transfer from the Royal Lofts in Norfolk.
But Mr Sutton rejected suggestions of cruelty or ill-treatment for pigeons and said that for long-distance races, the welfare of the birds was "paramount".
"Throughout their entire lifetime, during competition or at rest, we provide a secure and suitable environment," he said.
"As fanciers we ensure that the pigeons receive the necessary training and support prior to competition, which we conduct at the appropriate time in the safest weather conditions."