There's a big flap in Regina over a man's efforts to provide a "Club Med" for birds.
City bylaw officials have told Gordon Loucks he has to get rid of the animals and Loucks says that ruffles his feathers.
Dozens of pigeons can be seen perched or flying around his home.
Loucks says he's been racing and training doves and pigeons for years, giving them food, water and shelter.
He says that's led to other feral birds migrating to his property.
Loucks says he's received permits from the city before but this year he was told he has too many birds and it violates a bylaw that states "all yards, buildings, and structures shall be kept free of infestations of vermin, rodents, pigeons and insects."
Regulations allow him to have 90 birds, but even he admits there's more than that number on his property.
"They're not my birds," he says of the feral pigeons hanging out at his house for the free grub. "I can't control these birds from coming into my yard."
He also says there's some species discrimination at work, and he defends the much-maligned pigeon, saying it's the same bird as a dove, just a different colour.
He says he just wanted to turn a hobby into a full-time business, saying the city had actually previously paid him thousands of dollars to release doves at various municipal functions over the years.
Now, the city giving him 30 days to remove the birds. It's a ruling he recently went to city hall to appeal, but the decision was ultimately upheld.
"Everybody's dream is to be financially independent. Well, they screwed my dream," he says.
He believes the bylaw needs an update to reflect someone in his unique circumstance.
"There's nothing in the bylaw for people who are using it for livelihood; for financial reasons."
Loucks says he has until April 1 to remove all birds, both his own and the feral ones.
He says he hopes that if he can get rid of the wild ones, that will leave him in compliance with the bylaw and he'll be able to keep the rest.
(CJME)
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