Norfolk bird-breeder accuses RSPCA of intimidation

Of course if it is legal end of story but I still think a sensible person would have proof what they were doing with wild birds was legal for there own security against some inspection like this might turn up,find it a bit amusing that forum often up in arms about what they know little about what they term factory farming which is perfectly legal but they take the moral high ground and yet do not take the moral high ground in a case of wild birds which is much closer to them hence RSP BIRDS. 

michael s said:

Of course if it is legal end of story but I still think a sensible person would have proof what they were doing with wild birds was legal for there own security against some inspection like this might turn up,find it a bit amusing that forum often up in arms about what they know little about what they term factory farming which is perfectly legal but they take the moral high ground and yet do not take the moral high ground in a case of wild birds which is much closer to them hence RSP BIRDS. 

I agree that the guy should have had proof if they are legal, captive bred birds, but I don't think people should be taking a moral high ground just because this happens to be an RSPB forum, sone people on this forum also keep pet birds should they all be chased out of the forum with pitchforks and flaming torches just because they keep birds for a pets?  If people don't find it immoral to keep captive bred budgies why should they be a moral high ground just because someone is keeping captive bred goldfinches?  It's stupid, either people should be against the keeping of all birds in captivity or none at all.  As long as  the birds are being cared for correctly, have enough space to move around and fly in and are geninely captive bred it is no different to keeping a canary.  There is nothing different except one we get in our gardens and the other we don't. No one would be batting an eyelid if this guy kept canaries.

Here comes the punchline.....

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/norfolk_bird_breeder_who_caged_wild_birds_told_to_pay_more_than_20_000_in_fines_and_court_costs_1_812531

Well, the decision was reached by due process of the law and not by a kangaroo court. 

Although I do not have details of the evidence, the case seems to have turned on the accused's lack of documentary evidence re the provenance of his birds.

I see no difference between wild caught birds and birds bred in captivity; they all deserve a life of freedom as they have evolved, noit to be confined in a cage. Those you keep birds in cages at the very least totally lack imagination. Would you have liked to be born in a prison with a life sentence to serve?

I will say only that cage does not necessarily = prison. I have 2 caged birds who get time out every day (and no, the magpie in my avatar isn't one of them. He's free-range in the house). To them, their cage is proportionally about the same size as a human having an entire high-rise building for themselves. Moreover it's their home and their territory. When the cage doors are open, they're free to come and go, and if they don't feel like being out at any time, they'll happily go back in for a bite to eat or a nap. If they felt confined or unhappy in the cage, they wouldn't go back in voluntarily.

I'm sure, given the choice, both birds would rather have their current warm, comfortable, well-fed and predator-free lifestyle than to have to deal with whatever weather conditions are thrown at them, wonder where their next meal was coming from, or wonder whether they were going to be someone else's meal. In fact one of those two birds was actually hand-reared at a wildlife hospital and released. 2 weeks later he chose the easy life, landing on someone and riding on her shoulder into the house.

I certainly don't agree with grabbing a wild-born goldfinch (or similar) and expecting it to adjust to life in captivity, but I don't see why a captive-born bird, whether hand-raised or not, can't be happy given plenty of space, the right diet and suitable environmental enrichment and more than a budgie, canary or parrot would be.

Have just read this very interesting thread and links - The RSPCA has recently been in the headline quite often over dubious prosecution cases (eg the drowning of a squirrel caught in a 'humane trap')

As Mickey pointed out earlier (the netting of 'vermin' wild birds in Kent, which I knew nothing about)   morally the RSPCA has to to some peculiar contortions regarding cruelty. - like having to feed its rescued carnivores but also trying to re-home their 'food' .

At best this case may have nipped in the bud any tendency to keep British wild birds like Budgerigars, at worst it will seem like the hounding of an elderly eccentric in the face of greater, more obvious cruelties.

Hi John

The outcome looked bleak for the man so he should have thought about the situation a little more deeply.

I have just read the link that the man has been charged as I knew he would as he had no proof that the birds where captive bred

Not a good practice to be involved in!

Regards

Kathy and Dave

I still feel that the law is thin on the exact rules of keeping or killing any wild animal - at least there has been some progress between the issues of wild birds and the Badger links on here

I am glad that this person was punished, and if you read the link I placed on this thread about the 'Bird society' he is member of it makes very interesting reading to anyone that respects the freedom of wild birds.  There is an area that is stated so that members can protect their own interests and has made me annoyed to read such stupidy.

Here is the link again

http://www.britishbirdcouncil.com/legal_advice.htm

It is although what is being said about legal issues is all set up for anyone to use if they are caught keeping any wild birds.  It is contradicting the issues at hand and it is not a good omen for anyone in the bird society that this man is a member of.

Anyway, the long hand of the law has done its duty once more

Regards

Kathy and Dave

I hope people do view bird keeping as somehow naturally illegal as a result of this, the less people who torture birds with confinement the better. Birds MUST have the freedom of the skies, and that includes canaries and budgies, most of whom spend their lives in a cage that's equivalent to a cell; a life sentence as I said. The law should be changed to cover all birds, whilst allowing natural decline to take care of those already bred and kept in captivity to live out their days.

I note this creep got a caution for not providing documentary evidence when selling three wild robins in 2005. Three wild robins! I have robin friends who come and see me whenever I go in the garden, beautiful creatures, free to do as they please. This pervert trades them for profit.