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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

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.