Step backwards

[Dogghound]

Not a great way to start the new year, when you read that some silly little people think its still a acceptable to kill red kites. 2007 was the worst year since 2001 for the Poisoning of these amazing birds. Just when i was starting to think things were looking up for our raptors............

The RSPB: Worst year for red kite poisoning since 2001

[Gill Catton]

I have just finished reading that same article, sad indeed

[coasty]

Sad indeed and hard to see how it will ever change

[big bill]

Ther are so many sick people out there that seem to get a buzz out killing and maiming the wildlife its about time the courts started to deal out the sentances that they are allowed to instead of slap on wrist type community service it makes me sick

[naturelover]

same here bill,makes me sick too the law is too soft on things that matter and the oposite with things that dont,should let us wabbers run the country i think we would make a better job of it.

[richardkm]

Originally Posted by big bill

Ther are so many sick people out there that seem to get a buzz out killing and maiming the wildlife its about time the courts started to deal out the sentances that they are allowed to instead of slap on wrist type community service it makes me sick

It's not done for fun. We still have a section of society who believe it necessary to control what they consider pests - anything that flies and has talons; foxes, badgers, stoats, weasels; magpies and crows.

They are of course farmers and gamekeepers who are still living with attitudes a century out of date. But there's also another level of society, from which we should expect a more informed attitude, who have the same feelings towards what they consider animals that are dangerous to those animals that they enjoy slaughtering - these are the unspeakable chasing the uneatable.

Thankfully, there are more enlightened attitudes permeating into the countryside, particularly into farming, where wildlife is seen as beneficial and not as something that needs to be exterminated. But it will take another couple of generations before the enlightened outnumber the ignorant.

[dmclean2]

I too am in agreement with you Bill, tougher measures must be taken against these people, I have just read the link and it seems that the main culprits are those who run pheasant shooting lodges,
Duncan

[demicav]

Makes me so angry, even angrier that the penelties are pathetic. The law needs to be tougher but with all the other problems and people getting away with murder it's unlikely to ever happen. I'm going to stop there as I feel a political rant coming on.

[Dogghound]

I agree with all the above statements. As Richard points out its not just red kites, a minority of people in their pure ignorance seem to see certain groups of wildlife as their rivals. It is not hard to co-exist. But hopefully moods are changing for the better despite the report saying the opposite.