Two pigeon-feeding pensioners receive Asbos

Two Trowbridge pensioners, dubbed the ‘Pigeon Ladies’, have been given anti-social behaviour orders after they attracted hundreds of pigeons to the town by feeding them every day. For several years the duo – 76-year-old Danuta Rogowa and 68-year-old Margaret Ann Reynolds – have flouted orders by Wiltshire Council to stop feeding the birds.

A third woman, Terese Wozniak, 70, had her Asbo case adjourned at North Wiltshire Magistrates Court in Chippenham on Tuesday and will reappear on February 28 to face the order. The population of the birds has exploded in the county town, to the point where Trowbridge has a bigger problem than Edinburgh.



Rogowa, of Langford Road, and Reynolds, of Bradley Road, have been given Asbos for five years and have been told they must not: excessively feed any wildlife or birds; purchase more than 3kg of bird feed or more than three loaves of bread per day; shout at or verbally abuse others.

Previous attempts by the council to stop the women failed and in 2010 the process of applying for an Asbo started. Cllr Keith Humphries, cabinet member for public health and protection services, said: "Regrettably we have had to take this action in the interest of public health to protect residents and visitors to the town. However, we will continue to offer support to the ladies, as we recognise this is a very sensitive issue."