FEATHERS flew yesterday as the territory's pigeon racing fraternity tried to convince three Appeal Court judges their birds should be classed as pets.
The Hong Kong Racing Pigeon Association is in a flap about strict waste control regulations which forbid the keeping of more than 20 poultry, including pigeons, in urban areas.
To date, four members have been fined up to $2,000 each after falling foul of the Waste Disposal Ordinance. A fifth person is awaiting trial for defying the law.
Yesterday chairman Hui Chun-ping vowed his association would continue to ignore the law even if members were sent to jail.
He said members had to keep at least 40 birds in order to compete, as the majority could get lost during long races.
The pigeons, which cost up to $20,000 for an adult and $1,000 for an egg, fly thousands of kilometres on races into China, and on average only a third return.
