The torn pigeon netting under the Santa Monica Pier is entangling and killing pigeons. In my last survey, I counted over 20 dead pigeons in the net over the pedestrian walkway section alone.
When animals become entangled, they slowly die of exposure, dehydration, and starvation.
Not only is the net an animal welfare issue, it is ineffective at excluding pigeons. The net was initially installed to prevent pigeons from nesting under the pier due to their negative impact on water quality. However, the tears in it now allow pigeons to nest under the pier and potentially on the net itself. When I emailed pier management about the issue, the principal civil engineer of Santa Monica responded, “we will [be] looking into removing the netting…since it has been breached continually and not serving its intended purpose.”
It has been over a year since I received that response, and I still see dead pigeons in the net every time I visit. Pigeon netting requires precise installation and maintenance in order to safely exclude pigeons, but the city has clearly neglected it. The netting should be removed, and a safer, lower-maintenance, non-lethal pigeon deterrent should be used instead.
Santa Monica officials are aware of the issues with the net, but confirmation and a timeline for its removal have not been established. I am asking Santa Monica to remove the net as soon as possible. Readers, please contact pier management at pier.management@santamonica.gov and attend city council meetings to pressure Santa Monica to take action to prevent the cruel deaths of wild birds and find an effective solution for water pollution at the pier.
Sierra Glassman