In East Flanders' Wanzele, a handler from the pigeon club is accused of stealing over 100 pigeons from at least 30 different pigeon fanciers. The man (G.H.) allegedly retrieved various top pigeons from the baskets after they were placed for the race during his role as a handler over the last 5 years.
The case came to light when fanciers became suspicious because several of the best pigeons had regularly been missing from the prize flights since 2020. An official complaint against the man was filed in September this year by renowned fancier Etienne Buyle from Berlare, prompting the KBDB to conduct a loft inspection of local employee G.H. During this inspection, more than 100 pigeons were seized, for which no proof of ownership could be presented. The man likely managed to release some pigeons quickly because in the following days, some top flyers suddenly returned to other fanciers who had been missing for years. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that several of these pigeons were entered in the prize flights at the local "Hoop in de Toekomst" in Wanzele, but were carefully removed from the baskets by G.H. before departing for the release site.
Last Thursday, a large number of these pigeons were returned to their owners, who had thought their champions were lost during the races. It was an emotional reunion for many, including Koen & Kelly Stevens from Serskamp. They share their story:
Cowardly theft by the handler of the pigeons in our club.
During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, we regularly lost good racing pigeons (stolen!).
When our best pigeon no longer returned in the middle of the 2021 season, our courage waned.
Because we could no longer handle all of this emotionally, we were forced to stop playing with the pigeons for 2 years.
Our best pigeon was BE19-4087343 “Kleinzoon Bolt II” from Bolt II by Leo Heremans, a unique pigeon of which there are not many flying. Shortly after this pigeon appeared in our article in a magazine for pigeon fanciers "DE DUIF," our beloved pigeon did not come home after being entered in the race from Sermaises on 2/05/2021.
In early September 2024, Etienne Buyle from Berlare filed a complaint with the Belgian pigeon association against the fancier and handler of the pigeons on suspicion of fraud and "missing" pigeons from various fanciers.
After an investigation was initiated at the handler's loft, a thorough inspection was conducted by the K.B.D.B. at his home. About 100 pigeons from 30 different fanciers were found that he had obtained unlawfully. These were stolen from the baskets during the Half Fond flights over about 5 years. Additionally, there were pigeons that had come to him, which he kept instead of notifying the rightful owner so they could reclaim their pigeon. These pigeons were seized for further investigation. That same day, 2 pigeons arrived that had been missing for over four years, and we were amazed. That day, other fanciers also suddenly had pigeons returning home after a long time, but we knew nothing about it until we heard of the inspection and suspected something more was going on.
On 3/12/2024, we suddenly received an email that 2 of our pigeons had been found and were staying in Halle at the K.B.D.B. Even our secretary Eric Matthys had 9 pigeons taken from him, which is a serious stab in the back for him, leaving him deeply affected with mixed feelings about it. Despite this, he, along with the K.B.D.B., ensured that a large number of fanciers could pick up their stolen pigeons at the club on 5/12/2024.
At that moment, we still didn’t know which of our pigeons they would be. Secretly, we hoped and suspected that our 343 from 2019 would be among them, and indeed, it was. Upon seeing this wonderful doffer, we couldn't hold back our emotions, and many tears flowed.
That someone who should be trustworthy engages in such cowardly practices to the detriment of the pigeon society and affected fanciers is incomprehensible to us. The many efforts of the society, including numerous basketings and training flights organized, as well as all the accompanying paperwork, have been nullified by one person.
