Pigeon flown back to the UK thanks to The Sun’s rescue mission to the US

A pigeon accidentally flown to America was back in the UK last night thanks to a rescue mission led by The Sun.

The feathery bob fluttered 4,000 miles to Alabama after taking a wrong turn in a 380-mile race.

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But now he’s back with owner Alan Todd after we helped him make the transatlantic trip to pick him up.

He raised a pint to his feathered friend and said, “It’s fantastic. It’s been a long journey and Bob’s had a tough ride, but he’s healthy and came through it unscathed.

“Thanks to the team that The Sun put together, I was able to travel over to bring Bob back.

“The support has been phenomenal. I think everyone was inspired by Bob’s story.”

Alan thought Bob was gone when he disappeared — but he turned up in retired preacher William Paschal’s yard in Alabama.

The bird was identified by its leg ring and taken to an animal shelter for care.

Our team – including experts from IAG Cargo, British Airways and feed additive supplier Anpario – helped Alan navigate the red tape involved in bringing a live animal into the UK.

IAG even built a special “Welcome Home Bob” coop for him to travel in.

Alan from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear picked Bob up from the vet clinic on Monday.

He said: “When we took him away, one of the staff was almost in tears. She said: “We will really miss him”.

“It was very emotional.”

Mr. Paschal, 89, added: “This is the work of the Lord.”

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