The 14 pigeons were among 22 from Jersey due to have flown in a 96-mile race from Messac in France at the weekend.
They were attacked in their baskets in a secure lock-up in Poole as they waited to join thousands of UK birds to travel to the race destination.
They included Glen Moon’s pride and joy, Hawkeye, named after surviving hawk attacks and going onto win a prestigious long-distance rance from Poitiers in 2009. Another of his birds, a favourite of his grandchildren and named Mr Peanut, also died.
Jersey Flying Society secretary Kevin Johnstone lost two of his best pigeons, including one given to him by club vice-president Laurence Le Ruez (94) and which had flown the 578-mile Barcelona race.
