Belgium's pastoral pastime of pigeon racing faces high anxiety over crime wave

Two pigeons play in their loft in Ranst, Belgium, Jan. 13, 2025. Pigeon breeder champion Frans Bungeneers holds one of his pigeons in Ranst, Belgium, Jan. 13, 2025 Belgium Grand Theft Pigeon Pigeon breeder champion Frans Bungeneers holds one of his pigeons in Ranst, Belgium, Jan. 13, 2025.

Belgium's once pastoral pastime of pigeon racing has come to this: Drones swoop over lofts where valuable birds are housed to look for security weaknesses, laser sensors set off alarms at night and cameras linked live to mobile apps keep potential thieves at bay — 24/7.