Coexistence on the Castelldefels promenade has become extremely difficult for about fifty residents. The situation, which has worsened since the pandemic, is due to a neighbor who massively feeds pigeons, first in the street and now within his home and the common areas of an apartment block. This practice generates serious sanitation problems, with droppings affecting stairwells, homes, and structural elements, causing damage estimated at around 10,000 euros in one of the communities.
Those affected describe the building as a "pigeon coop" and report that the situation is escalating, with nests and a pervasive odor. The problem extends to at least five neighborhood communities and businesses in the area. One of the most serious incidents mentioned is the impact on a baby who suffered a fever of 40 degrees Celsius, which has caused fear and affected the mental health of the residents.
The building looks like a pigeon coop. The material is corroding from the droppings; we've had to invest about 10,000 euros. The worst was the impact on a baby... we are all scared; it affects our mental health. It's a nightmare.
The situation has further complicated with a reported assault. A neighbor, after placing a product to deter the birds, was pursued and attacked by the pigeon feeder with a stick, suffering a fractured finger, bruises, and a head wound.
The city council, through the Councilor for the Environment, Pedro Paredes, has confirmed that 16 municipal requests were registered between 2019 and 2023, and 32 in the last three years. Despite the complaints and fines, the individual declares himself insolvent, making effective sanctions difficult. The City Council has sent reports to the Generalitat regarding the impact on protected dunes and is exploring legal avenues, although it acknowledges that the basis for a direct municipal lawsuit is weak. It is believed that mental health issues may be behind this behavior, but the resident refuses help from social services.
