THE relative of a security guard at Lianhua Hill Park has been found responsible for killing about 25 pigeons set free by residents.
Nearly 200 pigeons were freed by a woman surnamed Jiang and her friends Friday, the second day of the Lunar New Year. The pigeons were found missing Tuesday and Jiang later learned they were being kept in the backyard of the security guards dormitory. About 25 had already been killed for meat.
Furious, Jiang took the remaining pigeons to Hongfa Temple to set them free again.
Jiang said they bought the pigeons at a wet market in Meilin, Futian District. We went to see the pigeons the day after we set them free and found them well and safe. A security guard in the park said they would take good care of the pigeons. One of my friends was so grateful that she gave the security guard 50 yuan (US$7.60), Jiang said.
The relative was hired to cook meals for the security guards during the holidays, said a park management official, who refused to give his name.
The official also said setting animals free in the park was forbidden. Domesticated birds and small animals can hardly survive on their own after being set free, he said.
There had been incidents where large numbers of birds died after being set free at Lianhua Hill Park, according to the official. (SD News)
