[Steve]

I'm told that bedfordshire police are investigating the deaths of up to 29 mute swans in a gravel pit in bedfordshire, they appear to have been shot. would be nice if I misheard the caller!

[michaelmacey]

Some world we live in now!

[JoanT]

Originally Posted by Steve

I'm told that bedfordshire police are investigating the deaths of up to 29 mute swans in a gravel pit in bedfordshire, they appear to have been shot. would be nice if I misheard the caller!

Unfortunately it is what is on the Beds e-mail group.

Joan

[Duke Leto]

Reply the sad news was on the local tv tonight apparently all was well Friday night and by Sunday morning all swans were found dead, it didn't say how they died.......
Sad news indeed

[pie]

Sad to say it is true, the pictures on the BBC website are gruesome.
Unbelievable!

[Hotspur]

Here is the link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/b...ts/7036551.stm

sickening really

[boroboy]

that is sick am so shocked i am lost for words

[Vectis Birder]

I'm appalled and so sick of what some members of the human race can find it in themselves to do. Bastards.

[Peewit]

What is it with some people, and their endless thirst for blood and guts. Even if it is in jest, or considered a joke for them to even contemplate - I still find it very distressing to say the least.

These people are seriously not right in the head

I pray to goodness they never get ideas to hurt any more Swans in Bedford area, or anywhere else for that matter.

Regards
Kathy

[Buddhist Vegan Birder]

I just read this thread. I know how evil people can be through my involvement in animal rights, but every time I hear news like this my heart drops through the floor. It's so sickening.

Lisa x

[Sandra (Taylor)]

I agree. I haven't got over reading the report yesterday about the red-footed falcons being shot on Cyprus then the first thing I read today is this. Who are the people who do this? Ordinary men with families and jobs? Would like to see them being interviewed.
Wonder if there will be any follow up to this? I keep reading about crimes like this but then there's nothing else mentioned. Maybe I don't read the right kind of papers. Thank goodness there are BF members around to report these.

Sandra (so.. so... depressed)

[stanacko]

Words fail me, I hope they catch who ever is responsible.

[Peewit]

I watched the 6pm ITV news tonight, and it states the 29 Swans where killed in all, found at Radwell

RSPB are very upset about it based at Sandy - Bedfordshire. I could understand that all too much here.

In all 29 swans, one Grey heron and one Marsh harrier died. A Passerby noticed white feathers sticking out of earth in pit, so that is when it was reported to the Police.

It was suspected that they where shot over the weekend, covered up. Now they had to be dug out to see the scale of the carnage.

Veterinary College are finding out what caused their deaths, and are doing tests now at this moment

I hope they get the perpetrators who did this.

Regards
Kathy

[naturistbird]

Does anyone know what penalty the perpetrators face if caught and found guilty?
It may be that any deterent is not threatening enough?
What do others think (and know)?
Naturistbird.

[Vectis Birder]

Originally Posted by naturistbird

Does anyone know what penalty the perpetrators face if caught and found guilty?
It may be that any deterent is not threatening enough?
What do others think (and know)?
Naturistbird.

Probably a slap on the wrist with community service or a fine. I don't know. What I do know, however, is that animal cruelty sentences in the UK are not harsh enough.

[rozinante]

Originally Posted by naturistbird

Does anyone know what penalty the perpetrators face if caught and found guilty?
It may be that any deterent is not threatening enough?
What do others think (and know)?
Naturistbird.

From the BBC article:-

"Anyone found guilty of killing one [a swan] could be fined up to £5,000 or go to prison for six months"
RSPB spokesman

I wonder if anyone who could do something like this likely would be likely to detered by any possible repercussions anyway.

[Vectis Birder]

Six months is nowhere near long enough.

[lammy]

it should be the death sentence

[Henry B]

Sickening .

[Sandra (Taylor)]

Are there any local updates on this news about the swans please?

Sandra

[Peewit]

Originally Posted by Sandra (Taylor)

Are there any local updates on this news about the swans please?

Sandra

hi Sandra

Not so far. There is nothing on the local news tonight so far.

Nothing on 'text' on TV either.

Keep my eyes peeled, and let you know if I do here.

Anyone else know here

Regards
Kathy

[DKR]

Comment by an RSPB Investigations Officer on their blog.

http://blogs.rspb.org.uk/investigati...n-Bedford.aspx

[Peewit]

Originally Posted by DKR

Comment by an RSPB Investigations Officer on their blog.

http://blogs.rspb.org.uk/investigati...n-Bedford.aspx

hi DKR

Thank you for the link

It is a disgrace to have why anyone could be so heartless to hurt these beautiful birds. It is not although they are competing for food as such.

It was said in the news last night that Radwell (Bedfordshire) is a place that is used for hunting purposes, using guns, though it did not what the animal is that is being hunted? Still does not sound very positive to have that going on.
The news report also stated that any noise of guns would not be heard as the place was so isolated. If any noise was heard, it will be very unlikey to be taken seriously at all.

At this very moment, the bodies of the birds involved are being investigated to find out why they died. I wonder how long we find out. It make take a couple of days or so yet. The sooner we know the better.

As long as it is not anything that is more sinister, like poisoning or something like that.

Regards
Kathy

[Peewit]

Hi there

More news about the Swans.

This a more general link to explain what has happened so far.

http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-ne...ell.3363358.jp

Today:

I found this story from our local free paper here. Arrived tonight through our letterbox about 8pm

Today, this paper explained that some of the Swans heads had been removed as well. (Gross to say the least)

Radwell: The lake is used for waterfowl shoots, and there are gunshots heard over the weekend. There is no suggestions that the deaths of the swans is connected in any way.

It is perfectly legal to shoot duck and geese between September and January (What!!!)

The Swans are fully protected under the law and anyone found guilty (as stated already on this thread) £5,000 and up to 6 months in jail

There is a possibility of a witness here who heard shots the early hours of Sunday morning. (IMHO I hope he comes forward and defend these birds as he has made an attempt to do so now)

It was still dark, which is particularly unusual, as normal hunting parties wait until dawn to start shooting for sport like this.
So this goes with the witness, and his story (I pray hope here)

This is what our local free paper (Bedford Times and Citizen) has said about this subject today. Page 1 has the main story and it is continued on Page 3

Sketchy, but I do not want to copyright things here.

Regards
Kathy

[teamsaint]

Originally Posted by lammy

it should be the death sentence

totally agree