Tokyo man arrested on suspicion of capturing, abusing and killing pigeon
Hiroshi Tsuji is reportedly accused of beating and whipping the animal before killing it at some point between June and August last year.
Thursday 6 February 2025 10:40, UK
A man has been arrested in Tokyo on suspicion of killing a pigeon that he reportedly filmed himself abusing.
Hiroshi Tsuji, a 49-year-old taxi driver from Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, allegedly captured the bird on the side of a river in the Japanese capital sometime between April and June 2024, local media outlets reported.
He is accused of beating and whipping the animal before killing it at some point between June and August, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported.
It is alleged he killed the pigeon by decapitating it using scissors.
Tsuji was quoted telling police before his arrest that he had "purged the pigeon" because it was "unfriendly to him", Kyodo reported, citing Japanese authorities.
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The suspect is believed to have posted multiple videos of animal abuse on social media platform X since May 2023.
Police had received more than 100 reports about his behaviour and several animal welfare groups filed complaints.
He was previously arrested on 26 January for allegedly using a false name when purchasing a small bird at a pet shop in November 2024, according to Kyodo.