MAN SENTENCED AFTER DEATH OF BARN OWL NEAR SCARBOROUGH
A man has been convicted and sentenced following the death of a barn owl that was caught in a trap set on an allotment in Hunmanby.On 8 April 2023, a dog walker discovered a severely injured adult Barn Owl ensnared in a spring-operated trap at the Sands Lane allotments in Hunmanby.
Despite efforts to rescue the bird and transfer it to a vet, its leg injuries were so extensive that it had to be euthanized.
The tenant managing the allotment, 57-year-old Leslie Shooter, admitted to police that he had installed several rat traps but failed to cover them as legally required, which resulted in the owl becoming trapped.
Barn Owls are known to be particularly vulnerable to human disturbance and interference; they are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The species is also an early breeder, with its main season spanning from March to September, meaning that any disturbance during this period jeopardizes the eggs and young.
Although spring traps, often called ‘Fenn traps’, are lawful in the UK, their use is tightly regulated to prevent misuse.
Illegal activities include using uncovered traps, neglecting to check traps regularly, or targeting wild birds.
An investigation by North Yorkshire Police led to Shooter being charged with using an unapproved trap, causing injury to a wild bird, and inflicting unnecessary suffering on a protected species.
Shooter pleaded guilty at Scarborough Magistrates Court on 29 June 2023.
He was sentenced to a community order with 100 hours of unpaid work, plus costs and surcharges amounting to £199.
PC Graham Bilton, the Wildlife Crime Officer involved in the case, commented: “Protecting raptors is a priority nationwide, yet illegal persecution still occurs in the UK.
The death of this barn owl was entirely preventable if the traps had been used lawfully and responsibly.” RSPCA Inspector Geoff Edmond described the incident as distressing.
“I am grateful to the member of the public who brought the owl to a vet, even though its injuries were fatal.
This event likely caused concern in the Hunmanby community, many of whom appreciated the owl’s presence.
Proper training and understanding of trap legislation are essential; this tragedy demonstrates why.
I urge anyone using traps to be fully aware of legal requirements.
The RSPCA continues to partner with North Yorkshire Police to combat wildlife and rural crime.” Mark Thomas from the RSPB, leading investigations, added: “Raptor persecution remains a serious issue nationally, affecting many threatened species such as the Barn Owl.
This case involved a repugnant act, and we thank North Yorkshire Police for bringing justice and raising awareness about these crimes.”
