Animal welfare concerns have been raised after six pigeons died in recent days at The O2 Arena in North Greenwich, with campaigners accusing the venue of negligence.
The birds became trapped in anti-bird netting above the arena’s main entrance, near the smoking area, last Thursday. According to witnesses, four birds were already dead when the situation was first reported, while two more were alive but “visibly panicked and distressed.”
London Fire Brigade attended the scene but were unable to reach the birds with a cherry picker. O2 staff reportedly told concerned members of the public the matter would be “passed to maintenance.”
Three days later, all of the trapped birds had died, prompting anger from local residents and animal rights advocates, who say the arena failed to take urgent action.
The incident has been reported to the police and the RSPCA, but no intervention took place before the birds perished.
Campaigners have stressed that allowing an animal to suffer in this way is a potential offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it illegal to cause unnecessary suffering to any protected animal.
An animal welfare spokesperson said:
“This is not just a moral failure, it is a legal one. The O2 is responsible for maintaining the netting, and by failing to act, they have allowed these animals to die slow, preventable deaths.”
Calls are now being made for The O2 to urgently remove any surviving trapped birds and review their netting to prevent further deaths.
The O2 Arena has been approached for comment.
