RICHARD ORTON'S CRUELTY IN COMPTON: MAGPIES TRAPPED AND ABANDONED IN SQUALID CONDITIONS

Richard Robin Orton, born on September 27, 1985, and residing on Westland Road in Compton, Wolverhampton WV3 9NY, has been found guilty of severe animal cruelty involving wild birds. His actions included trapping and neglecting magpies in his garden, which led to a detailed investigation by the RSPCA.

Orton, a known wildlife persecutor, employed Larsen traps in his backyard to capture magpies, a practice that, while legal under certain conditions, is heavily regulated. Members of the public raised concerns about the welfare of the birds kept in these traps, prompting RSPCA inspectors to visit his property. The inspection revealed two magpies in deplorable conditions, both suffering from neglect and poor physical health.

The first magpie was confined within a wire cage that allowed access to only half of the enclosure. Inside, the bird was surrounded by a small amount of very dirty water and no accessible food. The cage was filled with a significant amount of faeces, emitting an extremely foul smell. A piece of what appeared to be rabbit skin was found within the cage, and the bird itself was in poor physical condition, with a prominent breastbone and evident muscle loss.

The second magpie was housed in a wooden and chicken wire cage, also with access to only half of the space. This bird was observed to be even thinner than the first, with no fat covering and a loss of muscle mass. Similar to the first, it had access to some greenish, dirty water but no food. The cage was also heavily soiled with faeces, and the smell was equally foul. A veterinarian’s report confirmed that both birds had likely suffered for at least two weeks, if not longer, due to inadequate care and unsuitable living conditions. The report emphasized that the birds’ welfare needs had not been met, and the environment was grossly inappropriate.

The veterinarian further noted that the amount of faeces observed indicated that no cleaning or removal of droppings had occurred for at least four weeks, possibly much longer. The conditions would have caused significant stress and distress to the birds, who were living in a space that offered no escape from the filth and neglect.

RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones, who led the investigation, explained that the use of Larsen traps is a contentious issue. These traps, which can be made of wood or metal and contain multiple compartments, are designed to lure magpies using a live decoy bird. While legal under strict regulations, breaches of these conditions can result in the loss of legal protection and potential prosecution. Inspector Jones highlighted that trap setters must provide decoy birds with food, water, shelter, and perches, and must inspect the traps every 24 hours. Failure to do so, as seen in Orton’s case, can lead to significant suffering for the trapped birds.

Following his conviction under the Animal Welfare Act, Orton, who is originally from Tipton and has connections to Rowley Regis, was prohibited from using Natural England’s general licences. The two magpies rescued from his property were released back into the wild, where they could hopefully recover from their ordeal.

In addition to the conviction, Orton was ordered to pay a fine of £312. He was also banned from keeping birds and ferrets for a period of five years, with the ban set to expire in April 2029. This case underscores the importance of strict adherence to animal welfare laws and highlights the ongoing issues related to illegal trapping and neglect of wild birds in the Wolverhampton area and beyond.