Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 12th September 2017
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

London man sentenced for keeping wild goldfinches
"The cages were cramped and dirty, and the birds were very distressed being confined."

Five caged birds spotted at allotment

A man has been handed a suspended sentence for illegally keeping five wild-caught goldfinches at a London allotment.

Metropolitan Police contacted the RSPCA after they received a report about the birds being kept at the allotments in Larmans Road, Enfield.

One of the charity’s inspectors, who cannot be named as he works undercover, said: “He had two decoy birds set up outside, one on the ground and one in the tree - both in tiny cages. The cages were cramped and dirty, and the birds were very distressed being confined.

“The set-up looked like it had been there for some time, but a lot of thought had gone into it. The trap was set with a piece of string running to behind a shed so he could lay in wait to capture unsuspecting birds.”

Mazaffer Yildiz-Coban, 57, of Warwick Road, Enfield, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (6 September), according the RSPCA. He pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Wildlife & Countryside Act - possession of live wild birds, possessing a clap net capable of being used for the taking of wild birds, and failing to meet the welfare needs of wild birds.

Yildiz-Coban was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £515 in costs and fines. He was also banned form keeping animals for life.

All five goldfinches have been released back into the wild.

Image © RSPCA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.