Panty-snatchers in Melaka will be shot

MELAKA (April 11): Yes, you have read that right. In February, 81 of them were shot within the Kota Laksamana area and according to Melaka Historic City (MBMB) councillor Tan Chin Gwan, the operation will be continued till this month-end.

Coated in black and armed with sharp claws and beaks, crows have been identified as the undies-snatchers in the city, reported The Star today.

“These thieving birds are a menace as they have swooped down and snatched dozens of panties since June last year.

“I have received more than a hundred reports of crows terrorising condominiums and high-rise residential areas in Kota Laksamana in the last 10 months, and 20% of the complaints have been on missing panties,” he told the daily.

Tan said he was baffled as to why crows have been carrying off panties from clotheslines, especially at the city's commercial hub of Kota Laksamana, adding that he has no idea where the pickings are hidden.

Estimated to be in the thousands, the brazen birds have been driving the residents across different areas within the city here to despair.

As if in exchange, the crows have also been leaving tributes of rat carcasses, besides their own droppings, of course, unto the residences.  

Other reports include the crows stealing food from hotel premises, eateries and schools, scaring tourists and denizens alike in the process.

“It’s now ‘normal’ to hear of crows attacking pupils at canteens in a bid to grab their food.

“There have also been reports of hungry crows injuring hotel staff, as well as damaging rubbish bins at housing estates,” Tan lamented.

He said schools in Bandar Hilir have been forced to install safety nets in defence against the avian siege.