IF you compared the brain of a pigeon with that of a specimen who thought it funny to douse two birds in vegetable oil, which would be the bigger?

The pigeons, I suspect, would edge it.

It is curious that some people seem blind to the fact that pigeons are living creatures and, as such, deserve kindness. Some call them vermin but if by that they mean they can carry disease, can’t that apply to the entire animal kingdom, including humans?

Indeed, when it comes to caring for the natural world, humans have proved very capable of fouling the nest.

But my feathers fly when I hear of cruelty of any sort. It was interesting to be reminded this week of the study that found that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans.

That doesn’t surprise me. Cruelty is cruelty.

Today the RSPCA reports that the pigeons – members of the dove family – were left unable to fly after being coated in oil. It cannot be cleaned off and the charity is having to look after the birds until they next moult. Those responsible for covering them in oil may have found their cruelty funny.

Normal, kind people know where these callous throwbacks belong in the animal kingdom pecking order. Way below the species Birdbrain of the genus Twittus.

Nearer the classification of Nasty Pieces of Work Indeed.