<P> Increased public awareness about the cruelty of this practice is decreasing the popularity of releasing "doves" for various ceremonies . </P> <P> Although many dove release businesses advertise that their birds will be able to safely return home, most released "doves" are killed in accidents or by predators before they can make their way back . Very few released birds are able to survive a return flight and are viewed as a disposable commodity by dove release businesses . </P> <P> The pigeons bred for dove release services are bred for their color and small size, not for their homing abilities or flight speed, as a result, some birds are killed by predatory birds minutes after they are released . Some released birds become confused and are found injured or dead nearby their original release site . Since these are domesticated birds, they do not possess the instincts or skills to survive in the wild . </P> <P> The Vatican no longer engages in the releasing of doves after an incident in 2014 where Pope Francis released two doves which were promptly attacked by predatory birds as crowds watched . </P>

Where did releasing doves at a wedding come from