Bird watchers see court penalty as 'laughable'

A fine of €600 imposed by a court on a man found to be in possession of 75 protected birds was today described as 'laughable' by CABS, the international Committee Against Bird Slaughter.

The committee said the accused had been found guilty of animal cruelty and being illegally in possession of 75 protected bird.

CABS Bird Guards had provided the decisive tip off to the police in September 2008 leading to the arraignment.

"Such a lenient punishment is simply laughable and only indirectly encourages others to continue doing the same", said Heinz Schwarze, president of CABS.

He recalled that a CABS Bird Guards' patrol had suspected that there was a concealed bird collection in the man's greenhouse near the former maritime radio station in Bahrija. The police were informed and searched the complex. They discovered a large aviary which contained 32 Little Stints (Tertuxa), 13 Wood Sandpipers (Swejda Cara), 8 Common Sandpipers (Pispisella),5 Little Ringed Plovers (Monakella), 5 Green Sandpipers (Swejda), 2 White Wagtails (Zakak Adjad), two Yellow Wagtails (Isfar) and one each of Red-throated Pipit (Dizz Ahmar), Dunlin (Pispisella tad-Dabra), Temminck's Stint (Tertuxa Griza) and a Ring Ouzel (Malvzz tas-Sidra).

Three other birds died before they could be rescued.

"Many of the birds were completely maimed as their wings had been cut back to the bone. This method is often used by bird trappers who work with live bird decoys" said Mr Schwarze.

The case was heard by the magistrates' court yesterday.

"The consequences of such judgements are disastrous, and a slap in the face for the (police) A.L.E., who despite their lack of resources do a magnificent job" said Mr Schwarze.