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20th July 2010
RSPCA PROSECUTION OF GARDENER UNNECESSARY AND HEAVY HANDED SAY ESI
The prosecution brought by the RSPCA against Raymond Elliot who was fined £,1500 for killing a grey squirrel has been described as “a major blow against biodiversity” by the European Squirrel Initiative (ESI), one of the leading squirrel charities in the United Kingdom.
Mr Elliot was found guilty of causing “unnecessary suffering” to a grey squirrel which he trapped and drowned. He was the first person to be prosecuted for causing harm to a non domestic animal under new animal welfare laws. This landmark ruling could lead to hundreds of householders being prosecuted for killing pests in their gardens.
“Grey squirrels are listed in the top 100 worst invasive alien species by the International Union for Conservation and this prosecution brought by the RSPCA is a major set back to those trying to protect our native flora and fauna from the grey squirrel and other pests, “said Miles Barne, Chairman of ESI.
“It is incumbent upon us to protect our biodiversity including native species such as the red squirrel, song birds and trees and plants in our parks and gardens. This ruling will have a major impact on our ability to do that”, he added.
Currently grey squirrels can be controlled by trapping. Traps must be inspected daily and any animal caught must be humanely despatched by the two approved methods, a blow to the head or shooting. It is illegal to re-release them into the wild.
“It is a pity that the RSPCA has adopted such a heavy handed approach to this matter. The RSPCA should acknowledge the damage caused by the grey squirrel. It should look at the bigger picture and consider the consequences of its actions at a time when protection of our biodiversity should be top of the agenda”, said Mr Barne.
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