Court Lets Stand a Ban on Pet Racing Pigeons

The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Chicago’s ban on pet racing pigeons, rejecting claims by some enthusiasts that the ordinance is unconstitutional.

The ban makes Chicago the only large U.S. city that outlaws pet pigeons, according to the American Racing Pigeon Union. Proponents of the ban alleged that the pigeons coo excessively and scatter droppings and feathers.

“We’re not hurting anybody,” said Karl Wollenhaupt, secretary and treasurer of a Chicago pigeon racing club. “This sport has been in existence for hundreds of years, but the city says these birds are bad, dirty and evil.”