Hundreds of Aussies and Americans have united to fight for the life of a racing pigeon that flew 15,000km from Alabama to Melbourne.

Kevin Celli-Bird noticed the exhausted bird in his suburban backyard on Boxing Day.

"It was pretty emaciated so I crushed up some biscuits … gave it some dry biscuits," Mr Celli-Bird told Nine news. He then tried to locate the bird's owner through the blue tag on the bird's foot but couldn't find it registered anywhere in the country.

What Mr Celli-Bird found instead was shocking.

The pigeon had been blown off course while competing in a race on October 29, in Montgomery, Alabama.

While Mr Celli-Bird has so far been unable to contact the bird's owner, he has named him Joe, short for President-elect Joe Biden.

"I've never heard of a pigeon flying that far. Never." Said Rod Churchill from the Greater Melbourne Pigeon Federation.

Churchill suspects that Joe had help on his long journey. "I'd say it's hitchhiked," he told Nine. "I'd say it had a pretty strong wind blown it off course out to sea, it's got onto a ship and has eventually found its way to Australia."

However, despite the public's excitement over Joe, the Department of Agriculture has expressed concerns about the biosecurity threat the bird could pose to native wildlife. They contacted Mr Celli-Bird, asking him to capture the bird so that it can be euthanised. The request was met with outrage from Joe's growing fanbase.

"I understand why they have to do it but I don't see why they can't capture him and check for diseases or why they can't contact the owners and send him back to America to let him live out his days," Mr Celli-Bird told the Herald Sun. "Maybe if he was called Trump he would receive diplomatic immunity.”

 


Picture credit: David Caird
Source:News Corp Australia

However, under Mr Celli-Bird's care, Joe is healthy, happy and hard to catch. His fans have started a petition on Change.org, asking members of the Australian and American public to spare Joe's life.

"Please sign this petition to urge the department and Australian government to not kill Joe and to return him safely back to the United States. There is no need to kill an innocent animal for doing what he naturally does. I know, through all of our individual power, we can ensure Joe the Pigeon remains alive to see his home in America once again."

The petition has already been signed by 1654 people and received a range of supportive comments.

"Save Joe, after such a remarkable journey and Australia want to kill him?! That's unAustralian and frankly disgusting!!! There has to be a better way!" wrote supporter Alexis Nagy.

Gabriela Camilleri wrote, "Joe the pigeon represents resilience, strength, tenacity, life, he should not be killed!!"

Another fan suggested that Joe be put in quarantine, while others exclaimed that he deserves to live. "Please allow this remarkable bird to return home," commented Cas Staton.

One particularly outraged fan wrote, "This bird deserves better than to lose its life after travelling so far! SHAME ON YOU AUSTRALIA! You SUCK!"

A very sincere supporter offered to pay whatever costs it would take to ensure that Joe returned safety to the US.

Andy Meddick, a member of the Australian Animal Justice Party has called for the Federal Government to offer a pigeon pardon for Joe.

"My message to the Federal Government is this: take Joe off death row. Surely the Federal Government has larger issues to deal with right now than death sentences for pigeons?"

"I know I speak for many Australians who want justice for Joe," said Meddick.

 

Do you think that we should spare Joe and allow him to return to his homeland? Or do you think this is all too much fuss over a Pigeon?