Today Friday January 9 2026 is the moment the international pigeon racing community shows its collective strength. In the courtroom of Hasselt four defendants finally face the consequences of a series of brutal Racing Pigeon Thefts that gripped our world for months. While the crimes were dark this trial proves one thing above all. The Belgian racing pigeon remains the undisputed world elite. These are winged jewels that attract global admiration and unfortunately criminal greed.
The Hunt for the Very Best A Bitter Honor
The criminals did not target random birds. They used social media and auction sites as a high tech catalog for their illegal plans. These Racing Pigeon Thefts struck the very heart of our passion. We must never forget the victims and the legendary athletes that were taken.
Willy Verbruggen from Londerzeel lost his national Marseille winner. A bird that had just made history.
Tom Van Gaver from Oosterzele saw icons like Finn and Ricky stolen. These are not just birds. They are institutions in modern pigeon racing.
Luc Odeurs from Sint Truiden suffered a massive blow with 33 birds taken including his national Barcelona winner and her entire bloodline.
Jos Cools from Grobbendonk lost 29 top performers from his loft.
Jozef Loobuyck from Aalter lost his absolute top breeder Magnum.
The Numbers Behind the Passion
Lawyer Joris Vercammen is representing the five victims and he is very clear. The total damage claim reaches 2 million euros. To an outsider this might seem like an astronomical figure. For us as fanciers it is the logical sum of decades of selection and endless nights of dedication. The fact that the police in Romania successfully recovered 71 pigeons is a masterpiece of international cooperation. It shows that the world recognizes the immense value of our heritage.
Why We Look at 2026 With Pride
Of course these Racing Pigeon Thefts leave a mark. The feeling of insecurity for men like Jos Cools and Luc Odeurs is very real. But let us be honest. Anyone who tries to steal from the champions only confirms their status as the best. The gang thought they could steal the gold from our lofts but they forgot one thing. The real gold mine is inside the mind and the heart of the fancier.
The defendants follow this trial from their cells in Hasselt or Lantin or via electronic monitoring. They have played their hand and lost. The cooperation between police forces and the pigeon community is now stronger than it has ever been.
Our Passion is Not for Sale
Today we celebrate the fact that justice is served. We will not let our pleasure in this hobby be taken away by individuals who think they can walk away with our pride. While the judge delivers the verdict we are already focused on what we do best. We are breeding the next generation of super pigeons. The 2026 season is upon us and our motivation is higher than ever. The king of the skies will not be caged by criminals.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
