Sussex Police hunt animal killer (From The Argus)
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Sussex Police hunt animal killer
1:10pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News
Pigeons are among the birds targeted by gunmen
Police are hunting a gunman they believe is responsible for a string of animal shootings.
The latest animal to be killed was a magpie. Other birds, including jackdaws and pigeons, have also been shot this week.
Sussex Police and animal charities have received several reports of birds being shot in the past week in the area of the scenic Cuckoo trail, between Hailsham and Heathfield.
Police believe the same gunman may have been behind a spate of cat shootings in the area last year.
PCSO Hannah Parks said: “The most recent killing was on Monday when a magpie was shot.
“A resident rang us having found other injured birds.
PCSO Hannah Parks
These birds are protected. Even if they are causing a nuisance, harming them is not acceptable. I believe someone is doing this for fun
“We know the magpie was shot, by a BB gun or air rifle. Last year we had five or six cat shootings. I think it is likely the same person is responsible for the latest shootings.
“These birds are protected. Even if they are causing a nuisance, harming them is not acceptable. “I believe someone is doing this for fun.
Horrendous injuries
“It is awful that anyone would want to harm animals.” Trevor Weeks of East Sussex Wildlife and Animal Rescue (WRAS) examined the magpie and said he was convinced it had been killed by a shot from a BB gun or air rifle.
Having seen the horrendous injuries caused to animals, Mr Weeks called for BB and air guns to be restricted to dedicated clubs.
He said: “Shooting birds is not normally a quick death.
“Most of the casualties that are rescued are alive but badly injured and in some cases the injuries are horrific.
“All guns should be limited to licensed gun clubs.
“What concerns me is that the guns involved don’t kill immediately.
“They cause animals to die slow, painful deaths.”
Anyone with any information about the shootings is urged to calls Sussex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0500 555111.
Comments(40)
Pitviper
says...
1:50pm Fri 7 Sep 12
inadaptado wrote:6 am is morning not night and the birds have been singing the dawn chorus for longer than you've been alive so live with it or get yourself some ear plugs and befoe you say "but I won't hear my alarm" there are alarms that will wake you by vibrating the bed rather than making a noise!
“It is awful that anyone would want to harm animals.” Yes, it is, but after being woken up at 6am every night for a week by one of these birds the rational part of me that acknowledges that harming animals is awful is slowly being overriden by the irrational part of me that just wants to have a complete night of sleep for once.
Crystal Ball
says...
2:00pm Fri 7 Sep 12
lordenglandofsussex
says...
2:13pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Have the Police completely lost the plot in this country? I think so.
spa301
says...
2:24pm Fri 7 Sep 12
lordenglandofsussex wrote:idiot...
People are being attacked and murdered, children are being abused and other serious crimes are happening on a daily basis by lunatics up and down the country and the Police waste their time informing the media of someone going around with an air gun shooting pigeons and magpies. Have the Police completely lost the plot in this country? I think so.
Lady Smith
says...
2:39pm Fri 7 Sep 12
inadaptado wrote:If you don't like seagulls, then don't live near the sea - simples! And they were here well before you...
“It is awful that anyone would want to harm animals.”
Yes, it is, but after being woken up at 6am every night for a week by one of these birds the rational part of me that acknowledges that harming animals is awful is slowly being overriden by the irrational part of me that just wants to have a complete night of sleep for once.
graham_Seagull
says...
2:40pm Fri 7 Sep 12
lordenglandofsussex wrote:....and hopefully pontificating fake Lord's are next!
People are being attacked and murdered, children are being abused and other serious crimes are happening on a daily basis by lunatics up and down the country and the Police waste their time informing the media of someone going around with an air gun shooting pigeons and magpies.
Have the Police completely lost the plot in this country? I think so.
Lady Smith
says...
2:42pm Fri 7 Sep 12
lordenglandofsussex wrote:Apart from your highly spurious logic, read the piece again - I think you'll find it's not 'just' pigeons and magpies. And you'll also find there's not much difference between the mendacious mindset of someone who will do this to animals, and someone who will do it to humans...
People are being attacked and murdered, children are being abused and other serious crimes are happening on a daily basis by lunatics up and down the country and the Police waste their time informing the media of someone going around with an air gun shooting pigeons and magpies.
Have the Police completely lost the plot in this country? I think so.
Goldenwight
says...
3:24pm Fri 7 Sep 12
elephantsandowls
says...
3:36pm Fri 7 Sep 12
:
You're not bothered that this person is practicing his / her shooting skills on animals, then?
What if it gets boring after a while and he / she starts shooting children?
leobrighton
says...
4:13pm Fri 7 Sep 12
lordenglandofsussex wrote:You have, it seems
People are being attacked and murdered, children are being abused and other serious crimes are happening on a daily basis by lunatics up and down the country and the Police waste their time informing the media of someone going around with an air gun shooting pigeons and magpies.
Have the Police completely lost the plot in this country? I think so.
inadaptado
says...
4:42pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Pitviper wrote:Get a grip, mate, I was being sardonic.
inadaptado wrote:6 am is morning not night and the birds have been singing the dawn chorus for longer than you've been alive so live with it or get yourself some ear plugs and befoe you say "but I won't hear my alarm" there are alarms that will wake you by vibrating the bed rather than making a noise!
“It is awful that anyone would want to harm animals.” Yes, it is, but after being woken up at 6am every night for a week by one of these birds the rational part of me that acknowledges that harming animals is awful is slowly being overriden by the irrational part of me that just wants to have a complete night of sleep for once.
inadaptado
says...
4:44pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Lady Smith wrote:You too, missus.
inadaptado wrote:If you don't like seagulls, then don't live near the sea - simples! And they were here well before you...
“It is awful that anyone would want to harm animals.”
Yes, it is, but after being woken up at 6am every night for a week by one of these birds the rational part of me that acknowledges that harming animals is awful is slowly being overriden by the irrational part of me that just wants to have a complete night of sleep for once.
lordenglandofsussex
says...
4:59pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Put it this way:
1980:
"Excuse me Officer, but there is someone going about shooting wild birds on the housing estate where I live."
"Sir, our job is not to investigate cruelty to animals as we simply do not have the resources nor the time as we are pursuing serious crime. Please contact the RSPCA as they can investigate and where possible prosecute those who are responsible."
2012:
"Excuse me Officer, but there is someone going about shooting wild birds on the housing estate where I live."
"Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will strain every sinew, allocate every constable and alert our armed unit to track down and bring this perpetrator to justice."
"By the way Officer, I have just murdered my wife in cold blood."
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that. It must have been extremely traumatic for you to have to go through such an awful event. Would you like to speak to one of our specially trained therapists to help you through this difficult time?"
"No thanks, I really would like to just go away and live on an Island somewhere to give me time to get over it."
"Oh, absolutely, please do and if you change your mind, just give us a call and we'll have you picked up."
"That will be lovely. Goodbye?"
"Goodbye, Sir."
Roundbill
says...
5:13pm Fri 7 Sep 12
elephantsandowls
says...
6:01pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Next time don't hang up before giving your details, love, and you'll receive a present!
luckystrike
says...
6:09pm Fri 7 Sep 12
elephantsandowls wrote:I remember shooting sparrows about 40 years ago. Should I hand myself in?
@leos, OH, so YOU are the moron who's prankcalling the police about murders and such?
Next time don't hang up before giving your details, love, and you'll receive a present!
hammerfan
says...
6:28pm Fri 7 Sep 12
When did you last see a Robin, Blackbird or Thrush? The Seagulls are driving them away. There are Seagulls in Britain which are never likely to see the sea. They are taking over everywhere!
Lets see the Sparrows and Blue tits back!
luckystrike
says...
6:56pm Fri 7 Sep 12
hammerfan wrote:There's quite a few tits on here dressed up as animal lovers.
Pigeons and Seagulls are vermin!
When did you last see a Robin, Blackbird or Thrush? The Seagulls are driving them away. There are Seagulls in Britain which are never likely to see the sea. They are taking over everywhere!
Lets see the Sparrows and Blue tits back!
John Steed
says...
7:35pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Lady Smith wrote:silly woman i was born and raised in surrey miles from the sea, hundreds of herring gulls around. they have wings, lets them get about a bit more than you give the vermin credit for
inadaptado wrote: “It is awful that anyone would want to harm animals.” Yes, it is, but after being woken up at 6am every night for a week by one of these birds the rational part of me that acknowledges that harming animals is awful is slowly being overriden by the irrational part of me that just wants to have a complete night of sleep for once.If you don't like seagulls, then don't live near the sea - simples! And they were here well before you...
Juleyanne
says...
7:41pm Fri 7 Sep 12
that there are some sick cruel beings amongst us that get their kicks from
seeing a living creature suffer. I totally agree with Trevor Weeks that BB guns/pellet guns should only be used in tightly controlled licenced clubs and should be stopped from getting into the hands of barbaric inadequate sickos.
Valerie Paynter
says...
7:49pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Juleyanne
says...
7:50pm Fri 7 Sep 12
They are on the red endangered list which means to those with little understanding
of reality, they are not vermin! check your facts next time as you look rather stupid!
hubby
says...
9:48pm Fri 7 Sep 12
By the way.When the landed gentry and the Royal family shoot some really nice animals do they not get arrested?
Seagull or Stag?
I know what I'd rather see protected.
luckystrike
says...
10:24pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Valerie Paynter wrote:From my cold dead hands.
Please someone of our MP's raise a private members bill to outlaw air rifles and BB Guns. They have no use that is not linked to death, injury, pain.
luckystrike
says...
10:25pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Juleyanne wrote:They are when they crap all over my car.
Steed clearly reveals his ignorance so I'll bring you up to date re Herring Gulls.
They are on the red endangered list which means to those with little understanding
of reality, they are not vermin! check your facts next time as you look rather stupid!
KarenT
says...
11:33pm Fri 7 Sep 12
F in L
says...
1:29am Sat 8 Sep 12
lordenglandofsussex wrote:No just in this County
People are being attacked and murdered, children are being abused and other serious crimes are happening on a daily basis by lunatics up and down the country and the Police waste their time informing the media of someone going around with an air gun shooting pigeons and magpies.
Have the Police completely lost the plot in this country? I think so.
Juleyanne
says...
8:10am Sat 8 Sep 12
It is insanity to continue to allow unbalanced dangerous 'gungho' idiots free reign to unleash guns 'of any sort' within our communities. This is long overdue for implementing rigid regulation!
Angmar
says...
11:33am Sat 8 Sep 12
All calls for banning of air rifles on here are displaying ignorance and would remove a legitimate pest control device.
One of the reasons that songbirds have reduced in number is the increase in the number of magpies. I shoot pest species over my land when I have tried other means to disuade them as legally I am allowed to do.
Before calling for changes in the law some of you on here ought to look at the existing law and become familiar with it. Also since I have shot these pest species I can honestly say that I have not massacred any families or shot anything that was not legal to shoot so that emotionally driven claptrap argument is also shot down in flames. Oh dear I used the word shoot again I must be obsessed.
mr punch
says...
4:57pm Sat 8 Sep 12
getThisCoalitionOut
says...
5:03pm Sat 8 Sep 12
inadaptado wrote:Well get some ear plugs then you **** - what do you think they are for stupid? How you can even think shooting birds - that have been around for longer than humans - is right, I do not know. Some people really do not deserve the right to breathe the same air as humans IMO. I hope the person that is doing this is found very quickly and has the same done to them as what they are doing is despicable.
“It is awful that anyone would want to harm animals.”
Yes, it is, but after being woken up at 6am every night for a week by one of these birds the rational part of me that acknowledges that harming animals is awful is slowly being overriden by the irrational part of me that just wants to have a complete night of sleep for once.
getThisCoalitionOut
says...
5:05pm Sat 8 Sep 12
lordenglandofsussex wrote:Well you **** who knows nothing - most animal abusers start with animals and then they move onto humans - so catch them first and preferably execute them - then you won't have so much of the other crimes. Learn first will you before making lunatic comments.
People are being attacked and murdered, children are being abused and other serious crimes are happening on a daily basis by lunatics up and down the country and the Police waste their time informing the media of someone going around with an air gun shooting pigeons and magpies.
Have the Police completely lost the plot in this country? I think so.
Nickpan
says...
5:48pm Sat 8 Sep 12
If someone has broken the law, they need to be apprehended and dragged through the legal system. I'm not sure where "ban all airguns" come into it.
hubby
says...
11:52pm Sat 8 Sep 12
Mel@cityclean
says...
4:40pm Sun 9 Sep 12
KarenT wrote:well written karen T.
Boy there's a lot of nasty, selfish people commenting on this story, I find it so depressing. The general attitude of some people that any animal that causes some sort of obstruction or inconvenience to their lives, whether it be the "noise" of seagulls or the excrement of pigeons, is labelled "vermin" and deserves to be killed. What's going on here is someone, or maybe even several people, are going around killing animals indiscriminately, with no conscience or respect for life, and no regard for anything but themselves. Pure mindless malevolence. The sort of malevolence that only humans are capable of, as I can assure you that no pigeon craps on your car to **** you off. The arrogance of humans never ceases to amaze me - if it gets in your way, just "exterminate it". Maybe you'd be happier living in some sterile world where there is nothing but other moaning idiots like yourselves. There always seems to be such a high propensity of utter morons commenting on news stories with the Argus - too many idle wasters with far too much time on their hands. Sat in their bedsits, no one to talk to, the internet is their only friend! Saddos.
nosolution
says...
5:45pm Sun 9 Sep 12
Roundbill
says...
8:55pm Sun 9 Sep 12
hubby wrote:That has to be the weirdest comment I've ever read on here. I salute you, nut-job!
I love all animals...even most humans....I would pretty much go out of my way not to kill anything or anybody,unless they were trying to kill me.
KarenT
says...
11:18pm Sun 9 Sep 12
Roundbill wrote:What is "weird" about that comment? It's obvious what he is trying to say, and if there were more people around like "hubby" the world would be a better place. But sadly there's probably a lot more people around like you than him... a nasty **** that thinks it's OK to call someone with a kind thought, a "nut-job". Why don't you keep your nastiness to yourself - it ain't funny or witty, and no one is interested.
hubby wrote:That has to be the weirdest comment I've ever read on here. I salute you, nut-job!
I love all animals...even most humans....I would pretty much go out of my way not to kill anything or anybody,unless they were trying to kill me.
F in L
says...
9:23am Mon 10 Sep 12
Lady Smith wrote:So were Wolves but we got rid of them didn't we?
inadaptado wrote:If you don't like seagulls, then don't live near the sea - simples! And they were here well before you...
“It is awful that anyone would want to harm animals.”
Yes, it is, but after being woken up at 6am every night for a week by one of these birds the rational part of me that acknowledges that harming animals is awful is slowly being overriden by the irrational part of me that just wants to have a complete night of sleep for once.
inadaptado says...
1:43pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Yes, it is, but after being woken up at 6am every night for a week by one of these birds the rational part of me that acknowledges that harming animals is awful is slowly being overriden by the irrational part of me that just wants to have a complete night of sleep for once.