A parish priest in Puebla de Don Fadrique, Granada province, has been denounced by SEPRONA for shooting at pigeons from the steeple of his church.
The priest, accompanied by minors, was trying to eliminate the excess pigeon population in the area with his air rifle.
Air rifles are only permitted for target shooting, in shooting galleries and on private land which is secure from public access. Shooting at anything other than proper targets is not permitted and such activity must not be carried out in the presence of minors.
There are more humane methods of controlling animal and bird populations which are approved by the authorities.
The initial complaint came from local environmentalists.