The age-old problem of pigeons using statues as toilets is set to become a thing of the past after scientists this week introduced a new anti-pigeon device, the Spiker.
The Spiker is a tiny needle that hides inside the head of the statue - when an unsuspecting pigeon lands, a remote sensor is triggered and the needle automatically shoots up from the statue's head to spike the pigeon's backside causing it to fly off in fright.
The technology is also being developed to help with the problem of dog mess. Scientists believe streets could be fitted with thousands of Spikers, which will automatically spring up from street floors and poke the backsides of any defecating dogs.
