by Thom Morris
tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

A man is having to sell his beloved pigeons after complaints from neighbours – but there’s still a problem.

Roy Day has about 20 of the birds kept in a shed at his home in Gwynn Road, Northfleet.

But last week the pigeon fancier received a letter from Gravesham council demanding he get rid of them. But because they’re homing pigeons, Roy says they’ll just come back.

The father-of-eight said: “The council sent a letter saying the pigeons are a health issue so I’ve sent them a letter back saying ‘what health issue’?

“They gave me a seven day deadline to get rid of them but even if they went 150-odd miles away, they’d still come back.”

Mr Day, known as ‘the animal man’, is a keen pet owner and has budgies, bearded dragons, numerous snakes, water dragons, geckos, iguanas, a yorkshire terrier, 12 ferrets, two german shepherds, and terrapins.

The National Pigeon Racing Association member added: “I’ve got a little boy who’s seven and he absolutely loves the pigeons. He loves going in the sheds to feed them.

“We used to go down the market and feed the pigeons but you can’t do that anymore so we got a dozen pigeons and let them fly round the house and he could feed them then.

“The only way they’re not going to come back to the house is by killing them.”

Gravesham council’s rules around animals mean tenants can keep up to two cats; small caged animals such as hamsters; terrapins and turtles; non-venomous spiders; indoor fish; parrots and a maximum of 12 pigeons which must be kept in a purpose built loft.

A sub clause within the agreement states that the animals must not be a risk to the health of the tenant, visitors and other residents, which includes the ‘issues of odour’.

A council spokesman said: “Tenant Roy Day did not obtain permission to keep pigeons at his council property.

“There have been many complaints from residents about noise and mess caused by the birds.

“The council has now asked Mr Day to re-home the birds since he is in breach of his tenancy.”