October 29, 2013--A Pigeon Named Lance

Pigeon racing, apparently, is a big deal. Lots of money is involved. There is big money awarded to winners but much more to those involved in betting. It is literally a multi-million dollar illegal gambling industry.

So is it any surprise that there is a lot of cheating? Cheating that involves doping?

Sound familiar?

According to the New York Times, at least six Belgian racing birds are suspected of doping. Actually of being doped by their owners.

PETA is on the case. Last year they published a harrowing report about pigeon racing in the United States. PETA claimed that more than 60 percent of pigeons that race become lost (races can be as long as 600 miles!) or die because they fly into dangerous storms or power lines. Others don't make it because of predators and exhaustion. Pigeon's who are not fast enough are in mortal danger. Their owners "cull" them through drowning, gassing, or decapitation.

One pigeon owner told PETA investigators that the first thing any new pigeon racing fancier needs to learn is how to drown pigeons.

From a pigeon's perspective, as Vince Lombardi used to say, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."

On the other hand, those who win races are highly prized. Last May one was sold to a Chinese businessman for $430,000. The pigeon was named after Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter who is the world's current "fastest human."

Other champion pigeons, again according to the Times, are named for Ben Johnson, Marion Jones, and Lance Armstrong.

Actually, this is not true but rather the Times having a little fun at Lance's expense.

But what is factual is the kind of drugs found in suspect pigeons--a human painkiller that combats inflammation and cocaine. Yes, cocaine.

I think that now I've heard about everything.