RSPCA investigate alleged pigeon abuse
Megan RoseThe RSPCA are investigating after a racing pigeon was found dead after a man allegedly swung it around by one wing.
Megan Rose, 23, spotted the bird resting on top of a car on Coral Street, Saltburn, for several hours on Sunday and checked to make sure it was healthy.
At 21:00 BST, she says she heard two men coming down the street and watched as one of them picked it up and began whirling it around. "It was just horrific to watch," she said.
The RSPCA has said anyone with information about the "very upsetting incident" should contact them or Cleveland Police.
Megan RoseMs Rose said: "At first I noticed the bird on the car so I checked the CCTV to see how long it had been on there.
"I gave it a little health check and it seemed to be completely fine and uninjured, just having a little rest.
"I noticed it was a racing pigeon as it had a tag on its leg.
"I was just monitoring it and I then saw two young males crossing the road."
She continued: "One of them noticed the bird on the car and, in the CCTV footage, you can see him walk over to the car and reach out to the bird like he was going to pat it.
"Then he grabs it and it is dangling by one wing."
The 23-year-old shouted out of her window telling them to let the pigeon go but they carried on walking.
She added: "He just looked at me and carries on walking.
"I could hear the other man then say horrific things, what they were going to do and how they were going to kill the bird."
After waiting a few minutes to be safe, Ms Rose headed in the same direction as the men and found the "very distressed" pigeon before it flew up to a rooftop.
The next day, she went to check on it but unfortunately it had died. She believes that the stress from the incident "scared the pigeon to death".