Category Archives: bird trapping

bird trapping, Birds, Small Furries, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Compton, Wolverhampton: Richard Orton

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CONVICTED (2024) | Richard Robin Orton, born 27 September 1985, of Westland Road, Compton, Wolverhampton WV3 9NY – trapped wild birds and kept them in squalid conditions in his garden.

RSPCA prosecution of wildlife persecutor Richard Orton from Wolverhampton, who trapped wild birds in his garden.

Prolific wildlife persecutor Orton used Larsen traps in his back garden to ‘trap and kill magpies’.

RSPCA inspectors visited Orton’s home after being contacted by members of the public with concerns about the welfare of birds kept in traps in his garden and found two magpies in shocking conditions.

RSPCA prosecution of wildlife persecutor Richard Orton from Wolverhampton, who trapped wild birds in his garden.

One was housed within a wire cage with access to only half of the cage. There was only a small amount of ‘very dirty water’ present and no food the bird could access.

There was a ‘significant amount of faeces’ within the cage and it was ‘extremely foul smelling’.

In the section of the cage the bird could not access, there was what looked like a piece of rabbit skin present. The bird was in ‘poor physical condition with the breast bone prominent and muscle loss’.

The second magpie, which a vet concluded was ‘even thinner than the first’ with no fat covering and a loss of muscle, was housed within a wood and chicken wire cage with access to only half of the cage.

There was some dirty water present, which was green in colour, and there was no food present in the area of the cage the bird could access. Again, there was a ‘significant amount of faeces within the cage and it was extremely foul smelling’.

RSPCA prosecution of wildlife persecutor Richard Orton from Wolverhampton, who trapped wild birds in his garden.

A vet’s report said: “Both birds would have suffered unnecessarily for a minimum of two weeks but in reality likely longer. They did not have their welfare needs met due to the failure to provide an appropriate environment.

“From the amount of faeces observed within the traps, it is my opinion that no cleaning or removal of droppings had occurred within the previous four weeks, but likely a considerably longer period of time. It must be stressful and distressing to-be-living-in-the-same area as you pass faeces with no-way to remove yourself from these conditions.”

RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones, who investigated Romany gypsy Orton, said: “Every year the RSPCA receives many calls from the public concerned about the use of Larsen traps to capture wild birds.

“Larsen traps can be made of wood or metal and contain two or three compartments to allow the use of a live decoy bird, like a magpie, to attract other magpies in defence of their territory.

“Although such traps are legal, strict controls relate to their use. If these are breached – and it is easy to do so – the trap setter loses the legal protection of a general licence for trapping and killing magpies and could face being prosecuted.”

He continued: “People who trap magpies could leave themselves open to prosecution should they infringe any one of a number of strict conditions relating to the use of Larsen traps. Trap setters have to provide the decoy bird with food, water, shelter and a perch and inspect the trap every 24 hours.

“Sadly there is great potential for suffering of wild birds in being contained in cramped, unsuitable spaces, as we’ve seen here with the two birds found in Orton’s possession.”

Following his conviction under the Animal Welfare Act, Orton, who is originally from Tipton and has links to Rowley Regis, can no longer use Natural England’s general licences.

The magpies were both released back into the wild.

Sentencing | ordered to pay £312. Banned from keeping birds and ferrets for five years (expires April 2029).

BirminghamLive

bird trapping, Birds

Penicuik, Midlothian: Alexander Hamilton

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CONVICTED (2024) | Alexander Hamilton, born c. 1959, of 112 Windsor Drive, Penicuik EH26 8EP – trapped and starved magpies to death in his garden.

Prosecution of Alexander Hamilton from Penicuik, Midlothian, who trapped magpies in his garden and starved them to death.

Hamilton, a former gamekeeper, pleaded guilty to confining /ibirds in illegal cages in his garden.

A trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how Hamilton deprived the animals of food, water and adequate shelter, which caused them deep distress.

His disturbing operation was uncovered by SSPCA animal welfare officers on July 29, 2022, after the alarm was raised by a neighbour who witnessed two of the birds being trapped at his property.

The magpies were discovered locked up in several small metal cages, as another bird was found lying dead on paving slabs outside.

Prosecution of Alexander Hamilton from Penicuik, Midlothian, who trapped magpies in his garden and starved them to death.

Animal welfare officers reported how three of the traps were found in the bottom corner of Hamilton’s garden, hidden from the rest of the area by a large fencing panel. They discovered the first trap to be an illegal Larsen Mate trap containing one magpie, which was crammed into the tiny space and in poor condition.

In the second cage, another magpie was found in poor bodily condition. It had managed to squeeze through the mesh on the floor and enter a space underneath the adjacent shed.

The court heard how SSPCA officers could hear the bird scraping and pecking at the wooden floor, in a clear state of distress. After intervention, the magpies were released from the cages and into the wild.

Commenting on his sentence, SSPCA Chief Inspector Mark Rafferty, Special Investigation Unit, said: “We are pleased with the five-year ban at the sentencing result. All animals should be protected from suffering and this includes magpies.

“Our team treats these cases seriously and it is good to see that the courts share this view. We will continue to investigate this type of offending, to ensure people like Hamilton are caught and stopped from further cruelty acts.

“I would like to thank the Procurator Fiscal Karon Rollo and the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit.”

Sentencing | 100 hours of community service. Five-year ban on owning and keeping animals (expires March 2029).

Scottish SPCA News

bird trapping, Birds

Chell Heath, Stoke-on-Trent: Robert Taylor

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CONVICTED (2023) | Robert Taylor, born c. 1988, of Standersfoot Place, Chell Heath. Stoke-on-Trent ST6 6HR – found with a dead gosling in his bath.

Robert Taylor, an employee of Churchill China, was fined after a gosling he had taken from a canal path died in his bath.

Taylor was interviewed by police when they received information about an incident at Taylor’s home on June 12, 2023.

Prosecutor Sue Hayers said: “They attended and discovered a gosling dead in a bath with a small amount of water in it. He [Taylor] was arrested.”

In his police interview Taylor said he had taken the bird from a canal towpath. He said he thought he was doing the right thing. He said he intended to call the RSPCA or the RSPB but neither organisation was alerted.

He said when he got home he put the gosling in a bath of water. He then went and got drunk. It was then too late to call anyone. He woke up, saw the bird and did not do anything. By the time he woke again the bird was dead and the police had arrived.

Taylor pleaded guilty to taking a wild bird.

Sentencing | fined £250 plus £100 costs and £100 surcharge.

StokeonTrentLive

bird trapping, Birds

Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside: Alan Mee

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CONVICTED (2023) | Alan Mee, born 15 November 1961, of of 63, Larch Avenue, Newton-le-Willows WA12 8JF – took tawny owls from the wild and kept them in filthy cages.

Wild bird trapper Alan Mee from Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside
Alan Mee

Alan Mee was fined and disqualified from keeping birds after officers from Cheshire Police seized wild owls that were being kept in unsuitable conditions at his home.

Mee pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of an animal, and two counts of possessing a wild bird.

The tawny owls had no access to fresh water, an adequate enclosure size, or a clean food ledge.
The tawny owls had no access to fresh water, an adequate enclosure size, or a clean food ledge.

On 20 June, 2022, Cheshire Police’s Rural Crime Team, Merseyside Police, RSPCA, and Natural England executed a warrant as a result of information relating to wild birds in the Cheshire area.

Cheshire Police led on the warrant at Mee’s address where three tawny owls were located, two of which were suspected to have been taken from the wild.

All three owls were seized due to the conditions they were being kept in, which included having dirty water, no feeding area, and the aviary being too small.

Sentencing | fine and court costs to the value of £823. Disqualified from keeping birds for five years (expires July 2028).

Manchester Evening News
BBC News

bird trapping, Birds, Lifers, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes

West Bromwich, West Midlands: Gareth Jones and Kerry Aspbury

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CONVICTED (2022) | serial bird trapper Gareth Jones, born c. 1985, and partner Kerry Aspbury, born c. 1988, of 70 Anson Road, Hill Top, West Bromwich B70 0NJ – kept wild goldfinches locked up in cages.

RSPCA officers rescued four birds from the pair’s home in West Bromwich in December 2021.

They admitted illegally keeping live wild birds. The pair were charged after police executed a warrant at their home address.

Animal welfare inspector Vicki Taylor, who led the RSPCA investigation, said: “A warrant was executed by police due to intelligence that had been received about trapped wild birds being kept in captivity. Outside, in a brick outhouse, there were three goldfinches in a cage, hung up with a jumper covering some of the top.

“The three birds were flighty, flying around the cage and had no rings. Inside the kitchen in the black cage, there was another goldfinch with no ring.”

Jones pleaded guilty to a second charge of breaching a disqualification made following a conviction in 2018, which banned him from keeping birds for life.

RSPCA Inspector Taylor added: “It is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to trap or attempt to trap wild birds and this type of trapping causes immense distress and suffering to them. The illegal trapping and trading in wild birds has long been a problem.

“Taking a wild bird from its natural habitat and shutting it in a tiny cage is cruel. These birds can suffer immeasurably, not only physically but also mentally, and they often die shortly after being captured.”

The four goldfinches were taken to a wildlife rescue centre to be rehabilitated. They were placed in an aviary to gain strength and were put on an enriched diet.

Once they were strong and active again, the birds were released back into the wild.

Sentencing |

Jones: four-month suspended prison sentence; £470 in costs. Lifetime ban reiterated.

Aspbury: 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity days; £485 in costs.

Birmingham Mail

bird trapping, Birds, cockfighting, Organised Animal Crime, Traveller Animal Crimes

Wareham, Dorset: Gerald Hughes

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CONVICTED (2022) | Gerald John Hughes, born c. 1972, of 37 Mistover Road, Wareham BH20 4BZ – participated in cruel cock fights and trapped a wild bird.

Hughes
Hughes

Hughes, a gypsy and persistent criminal with previous convictions for vehicle theft, ,shoplifting and driving without insurance, was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the charity was sent video clips showing a crowd gathered around fighting cockerels in a garden.

The RSPCA launched an investigation, which included executing a warrant alongside police in July 2021.

Officers reportedly observed a number of birds within an aviary, including a small brown bird, known as a Linnet, that officers suspected had been trapped from the wild and placed in captivity.

The wild Linnet was examined by a vet who specialises in birds, an RSPCA spokesperson said. They reportedly found the feathering on both wings was very poor and the bird’s tail was in an a bad condition, with the remains of only one feather. There was also damage to the bird’s jaw and loss of feathers to the sides of the beak, it was reported.

After seeing the footage of the cockfight, Mike Butcher, a retired RSPCA Inspector who worked for the charity for more than 40 years, said: “Cockfighting can cause very serious injuries and death, as the intention is for one cockerel to win by killing its opponent using beak, wings and particularly the hard natural spur.

“Cockerels are naturally aggressive and do not need much encouragement to attack another cockerel when the two are faced together; no matter where they are.”

Hughes pleaded guilty to being present at an animal fight and possessing a live wild bird.

RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson, who helped investigate for the animal welfare charity, said: “Cockfighting is an abhorrent and cruel practice which was outlawed almost 200 years ago. During fights, cockerels are placed into a pit where they face off, cheered on by a jeering crowd.

“To take enjoyment from watching two birds inflict such horrendous – and often life-threatening – injuries on each other is something that should be well and truly confined to the history books.”

Sentencing: two-year conditional discharge; £222 in costs and charges. 10-year disqualification from keeping birds, but can appeal after five years.

Yahoo News
Daily Echo

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, bird trapping, Birds, birds of prey / raptor persecution, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

New Tredegar, Caerphilly: Dewi Price

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CONVICTED (2022) | so-called ‘terrier-man’ Dewi James Price, born 6 December 1981, of Commercial Street, New Tredegar, Caerphilly (now said to be no fixed abode) – killed a badger and kept a fox cub and red kite at his home.

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook.

Price, whose various Facebook profiles contain multiple disturbing images and videos showing wildlife being torn apart by dogs, had denied seven wildlife offences, including one occasion when he killed a badger in the Builth Wells area in Powys.

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook.

The other six offences related to May 2019 when in the Gelligaer area of Caerphilly county borough, Price twice disturbed a nesting red kite. On another occasion, he intentionally took a red kite and had the bird in his possession.

Price was found guilty of killing a badger in the Builth Wells area of Powys on February 18, 2018.

Wildlife killer Dewi Price with daughter

He was also found guilty of intentionally or recklessly disturbing a red kite while it was in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young and of intentionally or recklessly disturbing the dependent young of a red kite.

The RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit began investigating Price after pictures and videos on social media labelled “in Builth Wells” appeared to show a dead badger at the bottom of a digged area.

In June 2019, the RSPCA and police raided a property in Gelligaer where they found and seized the fox cub

The RSPCA said the cub had been kept in Price’s bedroom, and they had found food, water and faeces. Hunting DVDs were found including one called ‘Badger Diggers Dogs’.

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook.

A female black patterdale terrier type called Gypsy and a young female black patterdale with a white chest called Faith were found and seized.

Price’s mobile phone history showed searches for how to “train a red kite to hunt for you” and enquiries on finding kites.

Video footage from Price’s mobile phone from May 2019 showed him up a tree at a red kite’s nest where there were three live chicks and a parent red kite nearby. Another video on May 18, 2019 showed Price attempting to feed two chicks in the nest.

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook

Another showed Price giving the chicks food and picking the young birds up. There were three chicks seen in the nest.

On May 19 Price sent a video including footage seemingly of a man-made nest in a cupboard, and another video showed the chick being fed by Price in the man-made nest. Further footage showed the chick being stroked while a radio played loudly..

During the police search at the Gelligaer property, no red kite chicks were found and the fate of the chick is unknown.

Chief inspector Ian Briggs said: “We’d like to remind people that wild animals such as birds and badgers are protected by law and, working with partner organisations, we’re here to ensure that they are safe in their natural habitats.

“We would particularly like to thank the Gwent Police Rural Crime Team for their support and assistance with this case.”

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook.

Rosamund Rutter, for Price, said her client had a history of mental health difficulties including schizophrenia, and also issues around the misuse of alcohol and amphetamine. She said her client now realises he needs support and assistance in relation to his mental health and also now understands the importance of taking his medication.

Sentencing: six months in prison – comprising five months for the badger offence and one month for the red kite offences to run consecutively – suspended for 12 months. He must also complete a rehabilitation course. He was ordered to pay a £125 contribution to the £9,946 costs of bringing the prosecution as well as a £25 fine or a breach of suspended sentence order and victim surcharge of £128. The court ordered Faith and Gypsy be taken off Price, and the defendant was banned from keeping dogs for two years (expires February 2024). The judge said the period of the ban would likely have been “much longer” had the case come to court sooner.

Wales Online

bird egg theft, bird trapping, Birds, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Alness, Ross and Cromarty: Bryan Maclennan

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CONVICTED (2022) | Bryan Maclennan, born c. 1987, of 62 Firhill, Alness IV17 0RS – shot seagulls with a catapult, stole their eggs and kept an injured bird in a cage in his kitchen.

Maclennan pleaded guilty to three charges under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. He admitted two charges of intentionally or recklessly injuring a wild bird by striking it with a ball bearing from a slingshot or similar instrument and a third charge of taking or destroying eggs from a wild bird.

The court heard that Maclennan was spotted acting strangely by police in Invergordon, Easter Ross, in May 2021.

When they stopped him he was attempting to dispose of an injured herring gull he had been carrying in a plastic bag.

A search of his person and home uncovered slingshots, ballbearings, herring gull eggs and an injured bird in a cage on top of a freezer.

Maclennan’s solicitor Neil Wilson said his client had offered an explanation for his actions to the social work team and had been assessed as posing “no risk of reoffending”.

Fining Maclennan £940 and granting a motion for forfeiture of the catapults, ball bearings and gull eggs, Sheriff Aitken told Maclennan this was “not the way to deal with” any perceived menace from the birds.

He said: “I take the view that these are in fact fairly serious charges and that anyone who is prepared to use a weapon against another living creature is someone to be concerned about.”

The sheriff added: “Injuring something and then taking it home and keeping it on a cage in the kitchen is also concerning.”

Press and Journal

Update September 2022

The Press and Journal reported that Maclennan was back in court after being caught catapulting ball bearings at another bird.

He admitted a further charge under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, following an incident at Kirkside, Alness on July 24, 2022.

MacLennan was accused of a single charge of intentionally or recklessly injuring and taking a wild bird.

He admitted striking the gull and rendering it unconscious before taking away the injured bird in a bag.

Calling for pre-sentencing reports the sheriff told MacLennan: “You have been dealt with previously for something very similar. This will need to stop otherwise something most regrettable might happen”.

MacLennan will reappear for sentencing sometime in October 2022.

bird trapping, Birds, Traveller Animal Crimes

Rotherham, South Yorkshire: Robert Evans

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CONVICTED (2020) | Robert George Evans, born c. 1984, of Thompson Close, Rawmarsh, Rotherham S62 7LY – illegally kept 10 unringed goldfinches and neglected their needs

Wild bird trapper Robert George Evans from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK

Gypsy traveller Robert ‘Bobby’ Evans, whose numerous previous convictions include cannabis farming and making threats of violence towards a female, admitted one offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and one offence under the Animal Welfare Act relating to 10 unringed goldfinches in his possession. He also admitted a further offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of possessing a wild bird trap.

The RSPCA, which brought the case, revealed that one of its inspectors visited Evans’ home with the local police wildlife crime officer in October 2019 following reports of bird trapping in local hedgerows.

Wild-caught goldfinches were kept in filthy conditions by cruel Bobby Evans
Wild-caught goldfinches were kept in inhumane conditions by cruel Bobby Evans

RSPCA inspector and wildlife officer Sandra Dransfield said: “Evans had a legally ringed male bullfinch, two canaries and 10 unringed goldfinches in a small, dirty cage in a shed. The ten goldfinches, a cage trap – which wasn’t set – and other bird trapping paraphernalia were seized.

Wild bird trapper Robert George Evans from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK

“The expert’s opinion was that the 10 goldfinches were wild-caught. Some of the birds had injuries from flying at the bars trying to get out, so after a short rehabilitation the birds were successfully released back to the wild, where they belong.”

Goldfinch in the possession of Bobby Evans

In mitigation, the court heard that Evans had pleaded guilty and was a long-time breeder of birds.

Ms Dransfield added: “It is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to trap or attempt to trap wild birds and this type of trapping causes immense distress and suffering to them.

“The illegal trapping and trading in wild birds has long been a problem. Taking a wild bird from its natural habitat and shutting it in a tiny cage is cruel.

“These birds can suffer immeasurably, not only physically but also mentally, and they often die shortly after being captured.”

Sentencing: community order with a two-month curfew; ordered to pay £292. Disqualified from keeping birds for three years (expires March 2023).

Rotherham Advertiser

Update July 2022

Robert Evans appeared in court with younger brother Mark Wayne Evans, 34, of Fletcher House in Rotherham. The pair are charged with a catalogue of sexual offences involving young girls.

The brothers were arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in relation to offences being investigated under Operation Stovewood.

Robert Evans is charged with three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault and Mark Wayne Evans is charged with three counts of rape, two counts of assault and one of sexual assault.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in the Rotherham area between 2006 and 2009.

The girls would have been aged between 13 and 15 at the time.

The men will now face trial which is listed to begin on March 13, 2023.

Rotherham Advertiser

Animal Abandonment, bird trapping, Birds, Dogs, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Multiple Species, Traveller Animal Crimes

Malton, North Yorkshire/Hunslet, Leeds: Michael Price and Shannon Hanrahan

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CONVICTED (2020) | Michael Patrick Price, born 07/05/1991, of 24 Lime Tree Avenue, Malton YO17 7BZ, and partner Shannon Hanrahan (aka Shannon Price) born 04/06/1993, of Kidacre Park travellers site, Kidacre Street, Leeds LS10 1BD – abandoned several animals at Appleby Horse Fair

Animal abuser Shannon Hanrahan aka Shannon Price. a traveller based in Leeds

RSPCA inspectors were alerted after a passer-by saw that a pony had been left tethered beside the A685 just outside of Kirkby Stephen while two dogs were running loose near to two empty kennels.

None of the animals were being supervised or looked after, and the pony had no access to drinking water. Another dog – found in a cage without bedding – had no clean drinking water.

Animals abandoned and mistreated by gypsies Michael Price and Shannon Hanrahan
Gypsies Michael Price and Shannon Hanrahan mistreated animals and birds in their care

RSPCA inspector Claire Little said: “On Friday 31st May, whilst on duty in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, my colleague and I received a request from the police to help with some animals.

“As we arrived at the location I saw a brindle lurcher-type dog and what appeared to be a collie-type dog amongst the traffic and the police were trying to catch them.

“We pulled over and I managed to secure the dogs and get them into our van for safekeeping whilst we approached the police officers.

“It was explained to us that the owners of the dogs were believed to be the occupants of a caravan on the side of the road and that they were in Bradford.

“The dogs were wearing collars but there was no tethering equipment of any kind and a small caged area measuring approximately 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft with no lid was the only possible living area I could see for them. There was no shelter available for the cage.

“The police were concerned regarding some birds in cages they had seen inside a van next to the caravan so my colleague went to look at those – they turned out to be wild goldfinches.

“I then saw a small cream Lhasa Apso-type dog that appeared young, inside a metal cage at the side of the road. The cage had a lid that was secured but there was no shelter and the dog was laying on wet grass with no access to water. As the weather was wet I was concerned about the dog as they appeared to be shivering.

“A grey shetland pony tethered with a length of blue nylon rope tied around their neck was nearby. The rope was so tight that I couldn’t get my finger between the rope and the neck and I was concerned that this may start to injure the pony if they remained in this situation. The rope was tied to a nearby branch of a hedge that was quite flimsy. The pony’s hooves appeared overgrown.

“The police took the three dogs and pony into possession and placed them in RSPCA care.”

Michael Patrick Price admitted not ensuring the needs of the pony were met, and the same charge for a lurcher dog and a collie cross.

He also admitted having two goldfinches.

Animal abuser Shannon Hanrahan aka Shannon Price. a traveller based in Leeds

His co-accused Shannon Hanrahan admitted failing to ensure the proper care of the caged dog, and illegally having the two goldfinches.

A deprivation order was placed on the pony and two dogs who will now pass into RSPCA care and be rehomed. The birds were released back into the wild.

Sentencing:
Price was given 60 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs and charges totalling £690. He was banned from owning or keeping any animal for four years.

Hanrahan was given a 14-day curfew at an address in Byker, Newcastle. She must pay also £250 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

News and Star