Three boys arrested after pigeons found dead under Southsea pier

BBC Published Jul 1, 2026 Reviewed Jul 4, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Volunteers from Wild Hearts Rescue and Rehabilitation discovered dead pigeons underneath South Parade Pier in Southsea.

Three slingshots were seized by Hampshire Police during the investigation into the pigeon killings under South Parade Pier.

3 · slingshots

A veterinary examination of dead pigeons conducted by Wild Hearts Rescue and Rehabilitation showed the majority had evidence of catapult wounds.

Three boys aged 12 and 13 from Portsmouth were arrested on suspicion of killing a wild bird and possession of an offensive weapon after pigeons were found dead under South Parade Pier in Southsea.

3 · boys12 · age of one boy13 · age of two boys

A veterinary examination of dead pigeons found under South Parade Pier showed the majority had 'evidence of catapult wounds', according to Alice Pryor, who runs Wild Hearts Rescue and Rehabilitation.

One surviving pigeon examined by Alice Pryor had a damaged wing and a broken leg, with injuries consistent with being stamped on.

1 · surviving pigeons with specific injuries

Three boys have been arrested after several pigeons were found dead under a pier.

Hampshire Police were called to South Parade Pier in Southsea on Saturday morning after a number of dead pigeons were discovered. There was also reports on Tuesday on Commercial Road, Portsmouth, of pigeons being stamped on and shot with slingshots.

A 12-year-old boy and two 13-year-old boys, all from Portsmouth, were arrested on suspicion of killing a wild bird and possession of an offensive weapon.

Three slingshots were seized. The boys have been bailed until 30 September while enquiries continue.

The dead birds were discovered underneath the pier by volunteers from Wild Hearts Rescue and Rehabilitation.

Alice Pryor, who runs the independent rescue centre based in Emsworth, said the dead birds were taken to a vets for examination which showed the majority had "evidence of catapult wounds".

Pryor said one of the surviving pigeons had a damaged wing and a broken leg, and injuries that were "consistent with being stamped on".

The other surviving pigeon "was near enough dead" when the volunteer picked it up, however it has since started recovering, she said.

This article was originally published by BBC ↗. citations.press indexes the source-backed facts above and links to the original. Something wrong? Corrections policy · Report an error