The trial in Hasselt this week exposed a shocking contrast within the world of pigeon racing. On one side stood Luc Odeurs, the fancier from Sint-Truiden who defended his stolen life’s work with a mix of bravado and deep sorrow. On the other side sat a Romanian Pigeon Gang that showed absolutely no sign of remorse. For these criminals, the theft of Luc’s 1st National Barcelona winner (2020) and her entire lineage was simply a successful business operation.
A Digital Assault on Our Lofts
What makes this case so chilling is the calculated methodology. These were not random thieves. The prosecutor confirmed that the gang operated like a well-oiled machine. They used social media and auction sites to track the most valuable birds, then utilized Google Maps to scout their targets with pinpoint accuracy before striking.
Between 2023 and 2025, they launched a large-scale offensive. At Luc Odeurs loft alone, 33 pigeons vanished, including an entire bloodline: the champion, her mother, and ten of her daughters. Decades of genetic heritage wiped out in a single night. Consequently, the Public Prosecutor’s demand on January 9 was crystal clear: five years in prison for the ringleaders. This is a necessary signal that our sport is not a lawless playground for organized crime.
More Than Just Euro Signs
While the legal claim for damages of 100,300 Euros underlines the massive economic impact, we as fanciers know that the true damage is priceless. You don’t just steal a bird; you steal years of trial and error, the early mornings, and the dream of that one early arrival from Barcelona.
While the perpetrators remained stone-faced in court, unable to utter a single word of apology, Luc spoke for all of us. He demanded his champion back with a dignity these thieves will never possess. They see ring numbers; we see the soul of the sport.
The Sport Will Not Be Defeated
Despite the harsh facts and the brutality of the Romanian Pigeon Gang, one thing remains unshakable: the resilience of the pigeon fancier. We will not be intimidated. This case only strengthens our resolve to protect our beautiful sport with everything we have. We will keep building, we will keep breeding, and we will continue to look to the skies with joy and pride.
Thieves can take the pigeons, but the passion of a true fancier? They can never touch that.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
