A man who trapped garden birds jailed for 4 months

08/08/2007 00:00:00 A man who trapped wild birds has been sent to prison for 4 months while his partner in crime was sentenced to 70 hours community service. In October 2005, RSPCA inspectors and police officers found two goldfinches and a bullfinch in cages hidden at the home of John David Dugdale and Christopher Dugdale. In addition, sticky glue and lime-sticks, (twigs prepared with glue which are used to trap birds) were found. The tips of dwarf conifers in their garden had also been prepared with glue in an attempt to trap birds.

John Dugdale, of, County Durham pleaded guilty to 6 charges, including possession of a wild bullfinch and a wild goldfinch contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Magistrates said they had no choice other than to give him a custodial sentence because he had previous convictions for trapping wild birds.

Christopher Dugdale was sentenced to 70 hours community service and was ordered to pay £175 in costs. He had pleaded guilty to 5 charges, including possession of a wild goldfinch.

The birds seized by the officers were released back into the wild.

RSPCA inspector Gary Palmer said: ‘The sentence reflects the seriousness of this case. Trapping wild birds is totally unnecessary as there’s a legitimate trade in captive-bred birds. Trapping wild birds is especially cruel because of the suffering it causes.

‘Many birds die of shock because of the way they’re caught – by spreading sticky glue on shrubs where the birds rest. If they survive being caught, they can suffer great distress trying to fly free and hurt themselves flying into the bars of the cages they are kept in.’

Inspector Cliff Harrison of the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit said: ‘Bird trapping and dealing in wild birds for profit is rife throughout the country. A lot of money is made on the back of wild birds being forced to suffer.

‘The magistrates had no hesitation in sending one of these men to prison. We hope this sends out the message that people who trap or deal in wild birds will be punished severely.’

Anyone with information about this type of activity can call the RSPCA cruelty line in confidence on 0870 5555 999.