'I help pigeons because they deserve more kindness'

A man who is on a mission to raise awareness of the plight of pigeons is campaigning for people to treat the birds better.

Dexter Mathurine, from Southampton, or Dexter the Pigeon Guy, as he is known on social media, spends his spare time helping pigeons.

He began by sharing information on Instagram about stringfoot, which is a painful condition that occurs when human hair, thread or twine becomes wrapped around a bird's toes or ankles, causing deformities and, in some cases, leading to pigeons losing their feet or even dying.

If someone finds an injured bird in Southampton, they can send Dexter a message, and he will either come to help or offer advice on what to do next.

After helping his first pigeon, there was no turning back.

He said: "I went out, and it took me a couple of times, but I eventually caught a pigeon that had stringfoot.

"I cut the string free, released it, had a big cry because it was so emotional and then I was like, great, this is what I do now! I'm going to help the pigeons."

Meeting just outside the Bargate in the city centre, Dexter confidently walks among the pigeons, which flock towards him.

He carefully looks out for any birds that might be injured or need a little extra help.

Today, they are all OK.

However, a quick look at his Instagram page reveals videos of him treating birds with stringfoot.

Using nail scissors, he carefully snips away the hair and string restricting the bird's feet before releasing it.

Dexter has also met people in person to teach them how to safely remove tangled hair or string from pigeons, and release them.

However, he stresses that people should only handle the birds if they know what they are doing.

"Pigeons aren't dirty," he said, adding: "The reason that they are perceived like that is because they live on the street, just like any other wild animal, they are at a higher risk of germs, but they are incredibly clean.

"Obviously use common sense, wash your hands and be careful when handling them, but also so you don't distress them."

The RSPCA says it sees many cases of cruelty towards pigeons and is pleased to hear that more volunteers are helping to care for these birds.

Rebecca Machin, scientific and policy officer at the RSPCA, said: "For people who don't have the expertise or the experience, if they are able to pick up a pigeon that's in trouble and take it to a vet that would be ideal.

"There are a lot of misconceptions around the idea that they're vermin, but they are actually nothing of the sort.

"Similar to foxes and gulls, the animals that have adapted to live on our waste food and our buildings are unfortunately often seen as pests even though actually they are just trying to survive."

Dexter said: "The saddest part of their story is that they once had a really crucial role with us, especially in wars and sending messages, and then as soon as we no longer saw value in them, that's when they were cast into the streets.

"And it's the durability that really drew them to us in the first place. And now, they just need a little bit of help from us."

In June, a dozen pigeons were found dead following an apparent catapult attack.

The birds were discovered beneath South Parade Pier in Southsea by volunteers from Wild Hearts Rescue and Rehabilitation.

Dexter said: "Birds are just really incredible creatures and they deserve just a little bit more respect, especially pigeons."