Wild birds slaughtered in spate of sick attacks in Essington

Up to 30 birds have been found dead over the past three months in woods off Blackhalve Lane, Essington.

Woodpeckers, song birds and woodland birds have all been targeted, and their bodies have then been left in trees and seen by passers-by. Evidence has also been found of badger baiting nearby. Parish council chairman Councillor David Clifft said Staffordshire Police were investigating the apparent killings.

He said: "I have been working with the police investigating the killing of a large number of wild birds and evidence of badger baiting. What I have witnessed is sick, and the pictures are too bad to publish.

"Somebody is decimating wildlife, especially song birds, and shoving them back in the trees. We suspect it has been going on for about three months, and as many as 30 birds have been killed."

In September, armed police sealed off the same country road after shots were fired at drivers. Officers from the West Midlands and Staffordshire forces were supported by tracker dogs and a helicopter as they scoured the area for the suspects. The road cuts through fields and has few houses.

No-one was found, and there were no reports of any injuries, but inquiries were made after fears were raised that the culprits may have been youths with an air rifle.

The bird killings come days after the RSPCA revealed that more than 150 convictions for animal neglect and cruelty were reported in the West Midlands and Staffordshire last year. The figures were published as the RSPCA said that across England and Wales, the number of cases rose by a third.

There was a 33 per cent increase, up from 3,114 in 2011 to 4,168 last year, its annual prosecutions document found. And there was also a 15 per cent increase in the number of defendants convicted. RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant called on judges to take these offences 'far more seriously'.

He said his staff, volunteers and branches were 'struggling to keep up' in their fight against 'a growing animal cruelty crisis'.

"For us, prosecution is always the last resort," he said.

"Our inspectors investigated 150,833 suspected cruelty cases and issued 78,090 advice notices last year – these are extremely effective in improving the care of animals."