Anyone who still claims that pigeon theft is a minor issue has not been paying attention. The court has made it unmistakably clear that organised theft of top Pigeons is treated for what it truly is: serious criminal activity that strikes at the very heart of the pigeon sport.
This was not the work of opportunists. This was a tightly organised operation, deliberately targeting proven Pigeons with valuable bloodlines. Fanciers were selected with care. Lofts were observed. Strikes were fast, efficient and calculated. Vehicles with changing licence plates, multiple mobile phones, fixed routes. Everything was planned. Except the idea that they would get away with it.
Professional Methods, Serious Intent
Thanks to determined and professional police work, the network eventually collapsed. Camera surveillance, telecom analysis and international cooperation exposed the entire structure. Several stolen Pigeons were recovered and identified through DNA beyond any doubt as belonging to their rightful owners.
That fact alone underlines the seriousness of the case. These were not ordinary birds. These were top Pigeons, built through years of selection, racing insight and breeding expertise.
Clear Verdicts, No Grey Area
The court left no room for interpretation. The main defendant received 30 months of effective imprisonment and a substantial fine. Accomplices were sentenced to prison terms of up to 24 months. Family members who assisted in hiding or trading the stolen Pigeons were also convicted.
Vehicles, mobile phones and burglary equipment were seized and confiscated. This was not symbolic justice. This was a verdict with real impact.
The Real Damage Goes Deeper
For the affected fanciers, the damage goes far beyond numbers. Financial claims exceed 300,000 euros in some cases. But the real loss is deeper. Champion Pigeons, unique bloodlines, years of careful work and future plans disappear in a single night.
That cannot be replaced by compensation alone. This cuts straight into the soul of the pigeon sport.
A Strong Signal for the Future
This ruling is therefore more than a sentence. It is a clear boundary. A warning to anyone who believes the pigeon sport is an easy target. Pigeons are not commodities for criminals. They are the result of knowledge, dedication and passion.
The message is unmistakable. Pigeon theft now carries heavy consequences. And rightly so. Because anyone who steals Pigeons attacks the pigeon sport itself. And the pigeon sport will not be robbed in silence.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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