Aldershot, U.K. - As thousands were preparing to mark the 65th anniversary, on June 6, 2009, of the D-Day Landings in Normandy during WWII, Mike Armitage, owner of the Lion Brewery pub in this south England town travelled to Merville, France for a commemorative event of his own. Merville is the site of the landing zone for the Aldershot based Ninth Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. Using a borrowed transporter from the South East Classic Club, Mike took 1000 pigeons there to be released in memory of those based in his home town, who died in that military operation.

Canberra, Australia - on May 21, 2009, an Animals in War memorial was unveiled to recognize the contribution of animals that have served in combat. Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffiths acknowledged "Camels that transported troops across the Middle East and North Africa, carrier pigeons that carried messages where radios and telephones were inoperable and dogs who sniffed out the enemy in the jungle, all served alongside Australian men and women." Hugh Worth, president of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals added "Animals didn't enlist but still showed courage, strength, patience and loyalty in the combat zone."

London, U.K. - In the June 2 session of the U.K. parliament, Hazel Blears the Communities Secretary, on behalf of pigeon fanciers across the country, failed in her petition to classify pigeon racing as a sport. Sports England had earlier rejected the bid because pigeon owners did not "take part in any physical activity."

Seoul, South Korea - the Environment Ministry recently designated domestic pigeons as harmful wild animals that damage people's life and property. In a revised law on wild animal and plant control, pigeons can now be seized with the permission of local governments. The new law was supported by an online poll in which 80% of respondents voted for the revision, however animal rights groups criticized the government's decision as not based on any scientific evidence on the harmful effects of pigeons.

New York City, USA - the second annual National Pigeon Day will take place June 13, 2009 in NYC's Central Park. Sponsored by a variety of organizations including United Poultry Concerns and the U.S. Humane Society, the event will discuss topics such as New York wildlife feeding laws, pigeon trafficking and live pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania and something called the Pigeon Condo which is described as "luxury housing for pigeons in the heart of Toronto, Canada's revitalized waterfront area."

Gangtok, India - residents of this town are concerned about an epidemic after an estimated 10,000 pigeons died last month due to a suspected bacterial infection. Binoy Pradhan said "more than a thousand birds have died in my pigeon pen, the chicks are dying as soon as they hatch." The Animal Husbandry Department, concerned that the infection could spread to poultry, is investigating.