attacking pigeons

[asofel]

On the way to lunch right now I saw a man run after a pigeon, and take a big one handed polo style swing at his target. He missed, pigeon flew off, and he resumed his normal walk. It was pretty amusing as he looked like a normal older business man who should be on a cell phone, not running down the street chasing animals. As much as I dislike pigeons, I think i would have felt bad if he connected.

Is attacking a pigeon definitely wrong? What about another type of bird? How about a squirrel?