‘Dead birds everywhere’ as catapult attackers horrify Clevedon

People in an area of Clevedon[1] have described seeing "dead birds everywhere" as police investigate a week of horrifying reports that two people are using slingshots and catapults to fire ball bearings to kill and injure birds. Reports have been flooding in to Avon and Somerset Police[2] from the residential area on the south east edge of Clevedon since last Thursday, August 8, of people seeing at least two individuals walking the streets in broad daylight and taking potshots at birds with high-powered catapults. The incidents have been filmed on ring doorbells and by people from their homes.

It is estimated that between 30 and 50 birds have been found dead or so seriously injured they have had to be put down or taken to a local animal rescue group for treatment. Many more have been spotted and photographed in the area by local residents, and the community social media groups have been filled with images of dead birds in gardens, fields and paths for the past week.

Avon and Somerset police said they were stepping up high-visibility patrols in the area and are investigating the attacks.

They are urging anyone who sees anything suspicious, or has videos they can share, to get in touch. One local resident said: "For the last six nights, pigeons, magpies, lake birds and more have been targeted by ball bearings shot by slingshots. "There are dead birds everywhere.

It's absolutely awful. Nobody is helping. There have been many calls to the police by other members of the public too," she added.

Sarah Dutton, from the Backwell-based animal rescue group Curious Critters, said the situation was 'mad'. "I've never known anything like this. It's very strange, and really, really sad," she said.

"In just the last four or five days, we've had 27 pigeons come to us. We've been able to save 15 of them, although a couple are seriously injured, but 12 of them, their injuries were too bad.

But that's only the birds that have come to us. "There are many more reports of people out walking their dogs finding dead birds, or people finding them in their gardens or in the street, and there'll be many more that are injured and still trying to fly around, and sadly they'll probably die of sepsis. "It really is extraordinary.

We've been inundated. We've been taking only pigeons, they are the easiest targets, but people in Clevedon have seen injured or dead ducks, and other birds," she said. Curious Critters have set up a special appeal for help to cope[5] with the sudden influx. "People have been really good, rallying around.

We don't have the aviaries and things to cope with this, so we're trying to create emergency facilities to help the birds we have got and are caring for. Some of them are badly injured.

"Many animals have been hit with slingshots in Clevedon, including seagulls, ducks, pigeons and other wildlife. They are seriously injured and have been left dead and dying.

Yesterday, six pigeons came to us, some were even in our friend's aviary in her garden and were attacked over the fence," said Sarah. "The police have been informed. One has an injured wing and a bullet hole but survived - we've named him 50 pence.

Another has a broken jaw, swelling to the side of his face and his right eye is unable to open and we've named him Flintoff. All birds have had a vet check, and we are now continuing their care including pain relief, tube feeding and wound care. "We have more coming in today with bullet holes, and others that are injured are still trying to be caught.

We're not set up to take this number of casualties, but we cannot let them die just because there are some evil people in this world committing atrocious acts. "Because of this, we rapidly need to get some aviaries and flight pens that can be sectioned off to accommodate this sheer number of birds. These sections can then be removed to provide a long flying space, preparing the birds for their soft release," she added.

Other residents have reported their homes, windows and gardens being hit by ball bearings and pellets, in several streets in the south east corner of the town.

Avon and Somerset police said they were aware of what's been happening in this corner of Clevedon, in the streets nearest the Hazel Close playing field.

A spokesperson for the police confirmed the sudden spate of reports. "We have received reports, some of which were reported online, about two unknown people launching small projectiles at birds in the Hazel Close, Kenn Road and Newlands Green areas of Clevedon between Thursday 8 and Monday 12 August. "Officers are carrying out high-visibility patrols in the area and encourage any members of the public who witness similar incidents to get in touch.

If you see anything suspicious, or have any footage, please report it to us online at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk or via our 101 non-emergency system."

References

1. ^ Clevedon (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ Avon and Somerset Police (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
3. ^ Man drove car full of stolen goods wrong way on M4 (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^ Bristol Zoo development plan on hold as campaigners take legal action (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
5. ^ set up a special appeal for help to cope (www.facebook.com)