Iraqi university expels student for beheading pigeon on campus

An animal-abusing student in Iraq was expelled from his university for beheading a pigeon on campus.

A disturbing video of the student at Al-Mustaqbal University College in the province of Babylon luring a pigeon with food and then beheading it and throwing its body into the campus garden made rounds in recent days on social media.

His display of animal cruelty sparked outrage and demands that the university punishes him.

He was later identified as Ali Jawad Kazem Omran, a second-year accounting student.

The university on Wednesday released a statement saying that he would be considered to have failed the year and will be dismissed for the rest of the academic period of 2021-2022.

The statement said he will be suspended "based on the protocol for the discipline of students and and because of the violence and violation of animal rights and his act contrary to public morals."

A technical advisor at the former Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education, Ahmed Al-Wondawi endorsed the university's decision, saying Omran should be sent to a therapist and obtain a behaviour certificate before returning to school next year. 

He added that the classmate who filmed the video should also be investigated and urged that scenes of violence in Iraq should not extend to university life.

Like most street animals that are usually found in urban areas, pigeons are common targets for animal cruelty across the world.