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The ‘Monument for the War pigeon’ on Square des Blindes has been erected in 1931 in honour of pigeon fanciers who died during the first world war. Appearently a carrier pigeon was, and still is subjected to militairy regulations. The ‘Law for the protection of militairy pigeons and limitation of the use of pigeons for spying purposes’ of july 24, 1923 still applies to 21st century carrier pigeons, and pigeon keepers. download full text / click on Wetteksten / dutch only
Article three of this law states for which groups of people it is forbidden to keep pigeons:
*Those who have been convicted for a crime against the security of the state.
*People who have been convicted for catching, killing, or keeping a carrier pigeon.
*Foreigners of any nationality, unless authorized by the Minister of Justice.
Until 1940 the Belgian Intelligence Service continues to use pigeons to transmit information. To prevent loss of these valuable birds, every person keeping a pigeon is an obligatory member of the only pigeon association acknowledged by the Ministry of Defense; the KBDB.
Subjected to military law, members of the KBDB are not allowed to go to a civil court in case of conflict with the KBDB. In 1999 senators Coveliers (VLD) and Thijs (CVP) have been argueing to demilitarise the carrier pigeon, and liberalise keeping pigeons.
http://www.senat.be/magazine/1999_5/n05-08.htm
Who knows more about the current state of affairs?