Dead kites
Here is the press release put out by the Police Press Office. copied here with permission.
Appeal after possible animal poisonings in West Tynedale
Dated: 19 Feb 2010
Police are appealing for information after two incidents of possible animal poisoning in West Northumberland.
On Friday, February 12, police received a report from a landowner, in the Steel area of Hexham, that he had found two dead Red Kite birds in a field. The birds were found close to each other and there appeared to be no evidence of any bullet injuries.
Officers from Northumbria police and DEFRA are carrying out enquiries and a post mortem will be carried out to identify what killed the birds.
PC Mick Brown, wildlife crime officer, for West Northumberland said: "This is an unusual incident and it's a possibility that these birds may have been poisoned, as Red Kites have in the past been persecuted. If this is the case then we need to find out who, and how they have done this. Red Kites are a protected species under current legislation and anyone found guilty of killing them can expect a custodial sentence or a heavy fine."
>>>> incident involving ferrets>>>>>>>>>>
PC Brown added: "I'd appeal for anyone who knows anything at all about these incidents to ring us either on the 03456 043 043 number or by contacting myself direct. You don't have to give your name and can remain completely anonymous, the information as to how these animals were poisoned is what's key."
Anyone with any information about the two incidents, or any animal crime in the Northumbria area, is asked to contact police on 03456 043 043 ext 69191 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
You remember our Wing Tag 10, Flash, was poisoned in Tynedale in 2004. The children of Winlaton Primary were devastated and shocked. Although it was extremely sad, the death of Flash highlighted the Project to a far greater degree than we thought possible, so some good came out of his death. The following year the children were given the first kite chick to be brought from the Chilterns Project; they had a competition for a name and the winning choice was Phoenix, which we thought was brilliant! Phoenix is Wing Tag 21.
Shocking news and totally pointless.[/QUOTE