A 68-year-old man has been prohibited from keeping animals for life after being convicted of cruelty toward birds of prey he kept at his residence.
William McKenzie, residing on Boscobel Road in Shrewsbury, was found to have kicked and struck a snowy owl and a barn owl.
Additionally, he used a lawnmower near tethered birds, demonstrating cruelty.
McKenzie claimed he was operating a rescue charity known as Mac's Owls and had taken the birds to various events, claims supported by the RSPCA.
He faced 14 charges in Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court and was sentenced to a 16-week prison term, suspended for two years.
He received a six-month curfew order and was ordered to pay £500 in costs.
The RSPCA reported that officers were alerted when neighbors observed McKenzie abusing the birds, including hitting and shouting at them in his garden.
In October of the previous year, authorities removed all 26 birds from his possession—comprising 19 owls, five hawks, a peregrine falcon, and a kestrel.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
en the birds to various events, claims supported by the RSPCA. He faced 14 charges in Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court and was sentenced to a 16-week prison term, suspended for two years. He received a six-month curfew order and was ordered...
Prison sentence
two years
He faced 14 charges in Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court and was sentenced to a 16-week prison term, suspended for two years
Suspended sentence
two years
He faced 14 charges in Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court and was sentenced to a 16-week prison term, suspended for two years
Community order
He received a six-month curfew order and was ordered to pay 500 in costs
Fine or payment
He received a six-month curfew order and was ordered to pay 500 in costs
