CONVICTED (2021) | Robert Marshall Morrison, born 20 August 1982, of 5 Atchin Tan, Low Harker, Carlisle CA6 4DD – kept 69 chickens and cockerels in poor living conditions
Scottish gypsy Morrison, who has links to Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, originally faced accusations that he was breeding and keeping cockerels for the purpose of animal fights. He was also accused of having cock-fight equipment – including ‘wound powder’, muscle ointments, suturing needles and syringes, and vitamin supplements. Ultimately though he was only convicted of neglect, following a three-day trial.
The RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) launched an investigation into Morrison in 2019 and found he was visiting an allotment in Glasson, Lancashire, to tend to a number of cockerels being kept there.
In October 2019, the charity worked with Cumbria Police to execute three warrants at Morrison’s home, his vehicle and the allotment where he kept the birds, around a 40-minute drive from his address. He was arrested after officers found 69 birds – some emaciated and all being kept in filthy conditions – at the allotment site.
RSPCA SOU officer Kirsty Withnall, who investigated, said: “Many of the birds had inadequate access to food and water, and were being kept in completely unsuitable conditions; in wet, muddy, dirty runs and pens.
Some of the birds were being kept in small, cramped spaces with no enrichment; they were pacing up and down and circling due to boredom.
“We found the dead bodies of birds hidden inside a blue bin while other remains were decomposing on a nearby rubbish tip. They’d been cast aside like rubbish.”
Morrison admitted ownership and responsibility for the birds.
All of the birds were examined by a vet, seized by police either because they were suffering or their needs were not being met, and taken into the RSPCA’s care. One cockerel was taken to a local vet but, sadly, later died.
The others – 17 hens and the remaining all cockerels – were taken into private boarding where they have remained while the investigation progressed.
A Cumbria Police spokesperson said: “We welcome the outcome of this investigation. This behaviour is unacceptable and we will continue to work in partnership with the RSPCA and other agencies to stop this type of unnecessary suffering.”
Sentencing: 15-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation order; £1,500 costs and victim surcharge of £90. He was legally deprived of all of his birds, meaning they can now be rehomed by the RSPCA. Disqualified from keeping birds for seven years.
Another Disturbed Scum.
He Wont Have No Luck For What He Has Done.