A TEENAGE boy was caught on CCTV shooting a pigeon out of a tree in Parkstone before proceeding to kill the defenceless bird.
On Wednesday, September 14, a 15-year-old boy used a catapult to shoot a pigeon out of a tree in the Newtown area of Upper Parkstone. The youth then caused terminal harm to the pigeon.
Police described the killing as a “concerning event” to be taken “extremely seriously” and, as such, the Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) opened an investigation.
A member of the public captured the killing on CCTV and handed it into the police, which led to the identification of the youth in question.
He was subsequently interviewed in relation to the matter and provided a ‘no comment’ interview, despite the clear evidence in the CCTV identifying him and his actions. This rendered him ineligible for a youth out of court disposal, therefore Poole NPT prepared a case for court.
The matter was heard at Poole Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, December 6, for an offence of intentionally killing a wild bird, an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The youth, now aged 16, pleaded guilty. In recognition of the seriousness of the offence, the Youth Offending Service (YOS) recommended a referral order which the court agreed with, issuing a referral order for four months and £50 costs.
This order will involve further engagement with the Youth Offending Service (YOS) and the boy’s parents, to undertake activities aimed at preventing reoffending.
A Poole Police spokesperson said: “This case is a great example of the importance of communities providing accurate and timely information. Without the CCTV footage provided by the member of public, this positive result wouldn’t have been possible.”
This was followed a spate of similar reports made to Poole Police of people shooting at birds with catapults in public in October.
A spokesperson from the RSPCA previously said: “We share our space with wildlife and need to show respect and kindness. Animals feel pain, just as we do. It’s saddening to think anyone could take pleasure from firing a catapult at a living creature.
“Anyone with information about those responsible for animal cruelty should contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.”
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