Hunt on for sniper after 17 birds killed in Worthing (From The Argus)
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Hunt on for sniper after 17 birds killed in Worthing
1:39pm Thursday 21st July 2011 in News
A sniper is being hunted after 17 birds were shot dead with a high-powered air rifle.
The birds were targeted around a block of flats in what investigators believe could be a sick game.
Among the birds killed were doves, pigeons and seagulls.
RSPCA investigator Tony Pritchard said: “Sometimes people target seagulls because of the noise they make.
“But it is not just seagulls. It is all sorts of birds - they are not persecuting any one bird.
“It seems to be a game for whoever is doing it.
“I don't know why they are doing it. Maybe they think it is funny but it is not.
“The birds have been shot from a distance suggesting a high-powered air rifle which could have very serious implications.”
The gunman has taken out almost all the birds in the area. On Wednesday morning two seagulls became the latest victims..
Many of the birds suffered “slow and painful deaths”, Mr Pritchard said.
He continued: “The whole area is devoid of bird life as a result which is of particular concern during the breeding season.”
The shootings took place in Durrington Gardens, Worthing, over the past three weeks.
All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The shooting of birds is only allowed under licence for specific purposes.
The RSPCA said people concerned about birds being pests should seek advice from their local council and not take matters into their own hands.
Anyone with information about the shootings is urged to contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line on 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for Mr Pritchard.
Calls are treated in confidence.
Comments(11)
fedupbrighton
says...
2:44pm Thu 21 Jul 11
atlantis88 wrote:Yeah kill them and then eat it!
We had this happen in the Midlands a few years ago and it turned out to be Vietnamese who enjoy this 'sport'. Apparently it is the 'in thing' in Vietnam.
fedupbrighton
says...
2:44pm Thu 21 Jul 11
UppityPrimate
says...
2:54pm Thu 21 Jul 11
i think the salient point here is someone armed with a rifle is killing things willy nilly for their own amusement.. surely regardless if you like their chosen target animal or not, this is something that needs looking into?
woodybrighton
says...
2:59pm Thu 21 Jul 11
he's a prat with an air rifle.
if it was high powered it would'nt be leaving birds to suffer.
An incompetant shot
John Steed
says...
3:03pm Thu 21 Jul 11
wildlife act or not the worry is simply that a weapon is being used in an inhabited area stray pelets could go anywhere.
papa_melons
says...
4:19pm Thu 21 Jul 11
Not like the RSPCA to hype something, I wonder how many of their millions of pounds of donation they will devote to catching the person, as opposed to spending on advertising, in order to continue thickening the directors' waistlines
george smith
says...
5:01pm Thu 21 Jul 11
papa_melons wrote:totally agree, doesn't bird shooting season start shortly anyway. There is another debate
The gunman has taken out almost all the birds in the area. On Wednesday morning two seagulls became the latest victims.. Not like the RSPCA to hype something, I wonder how many of their millions of pounds of donation they will devote to catching the person, as opposed to spending on advertising, in order to continue thickening the directors' waistlines
Billy Bones
says...
11:10pm Thu 21 Jul 11
george smith wrote:It is about time that we got our revenge on the Violent Seagulls for their attacks lately.
papa_melons wrote:totally agree, doesn't bird shooting season start shortly anyway. There is another debate
The gunman has taken out almost all the birds in the area. On Wednesday morning two seagulls became the latest victims.. Not like the RSPCA to hype something, I wonder how many of their millions of pounds of donation they will devote to catching the person, as opposed to spending on advertising, in order to continue thickening the directors' waistlines
On_the_Level
says...
8:15am Fri 22 Jul 11
fedupbrighton wrote:I agree - Rats of the skies; the worthing sniper is welcome in Brighton anytime
As long as its pigeons and seagulls then I don’t care!! They are rats of the skies and need taking out!
Captain Smollett
says...
12:20pm Fri 22 Jul 11
On_the_Level wrote:He had better be careful, Sussex Police have a shoot to kill Policy against toy guns, Air Guns and unarmed men.
fedupbrighton wrote:I agree - Rats of the skies; the worthing sniper is welcome in Brighton anytime
As long as its pigeons and seagulls then I don’t care!! They are rats of the skies and need taking out!
atlantis88 says...
2:37pm Thu 21 Jul 11