ALEXANDER HAMILTON FROM PENICUIK SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO MAGPIES IN HIS GARDEN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of Penicuik, Alexander Hamilton, born around 1959 and residing at 112 Windsor Drive, was found guilty of heinous animal cruelty involving magpies in his garden. The incident came to light after a neighbor raised concerns about the welfare of the birds, leading to a detailed investigation by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).

On July 29, 2022, SSPCA animal welfare officers visited Hamilton’s property following reports of trapped birds. What they uncovered was deeply troubling: several small metal cages containing magpies, along with a dead bird lying on the paving slabs outside Hamilton’s home. The officers observed that Hamilton had been confining the birds in illegal cages, depriving them of essential needs such as food, water, and proper shelter, which caused significant distress and suffering.

During the investigation, officers discovered three traps hidden in the far corner of Hamilton’s garden, concealed behind a large fencing panel. One of these was an illegal Larsen Mate trap, which contained a magpie crammed into a tiny space, in a visibly poor state of health. Another cage held a magpie that was also in poor condition; this bird had managed to squeeze through the mesh on the cage’s floor and had entered a space underneath an adjacent shed. The officers could hear the distressed bird scraping and pecking at the wooden floor, indicating its suffering.

The SSPCA team intervened, releasing the trapped magpies back into the wild, after which they were provided with necessary care. The case drew significant attention to the cruelty inflicted upon these innocent creatures, highlighting the importance of animal welfare laws and enforcement.

Commenting on the sentencing, SSPCA Chief Inspector Mark Rafferty, of the Special Investigation Unit, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. He stated, “We are pleased with the five-year ban at the sentencing result. All animals should be protected from suffering and this includes magpies. Our team treats these cases seriously and it is good to see that the courts share this view. We will continue to investigate this type of offending, to ensure people like Hamilton are caught and stopped from further cruelty acts.”

As part of his punishment, Hamilton was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. Additionally, he received a five-year ban on owning or keeping any animals, a restriction that will remain in effect until March 2029. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of the SSPCA to combat animal cruelty and protect vulnerable wildlife in the Penicuik area and beyond.