Abandoned fancy pigeons found in a flap

EIGHT fancy pigeons have been abandoned in the Capital's Holyrood Park.

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a member of the public found the flightless birds in the park last Thursday.

Scottish SPCA ambulance driver Mairi Stewart said: "These birds were definitely dumped by someone."

Scotland's animal welfare charity said the birds, deliberately bred to inherit extreme characteristics such as fanned tails which prevent them from flying, "couldn't have got there by themselves". The birds, which were discovered at around 11am, are now being cared for by a local pigeon fancier.

Anyone who has any information about the birds should call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.