My neighbour is shooting birds clearly for pleasure in his back garden. The other day I found a pigeon with a broken wing in my front court, called RSPCA, who collected it. Today there is a dead pigeon in my back garden. Not to mention that both my wife and I are frightened when he pulls the trigger. I would like to know what rights does he have regarding shooting birds in his back garden? I fully condemn killing any animals for pleasure but I know there are certain birds that can be shot legally but also some circumstances should be met regarding safety. Also, I'm sure he is not a professional, sometimes under the influence of alcohol, he just doesn't shoot properly and the poor animal suffers from injury. I don't want to spark a row with him because I want to live here for a couple of more years and knowing his intelligence level, I'm not sure I can properly approach him. Thanks in advance for any advice.
2007-06-12 02:44:30 · 23 answers · asked by monzol 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
right, heres how it works:-
under the firearms act 1968 he is allowed to shoot birds (except protected species, or swans, which are property of the reigning monarch) on his own property or on private property with the permission of the landowner, however any and all projectiles must not cross the boundaries of his property. He must also behave in a responsible fashion and not cause a nuisance. If youre finding dead birds in your garden then it sounds like he is shooting beyond the boundary of his property. If he is drinking before shooting he is not behaving in a responsible fashion, quite the opposite. If he is causing distress to you and your wife this is a nuisance. If you cant approach him about this, all you really need to do is wait until the next time he is out in the garden with his gun, phone 999 and say 'the man next door is out in his garden drunk and shooting off a gun' when the police attend if he is drunk, they will confiscate his firearm and charge him with 'endangering public safety with a firearm' or other quite serious offences, he will be deemed a danger to the public and (rightly so) held on remand until trial. If he isnt drunk, theyll probably just have a word with him about future conduct or maybe just take his gun away anyway. Hope this helps
2007-06-12 09:17:01 · answer #1 · answered by vdv_desantnik 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Put the food on a bird table with a roof. Gulls and pigeons are too big to be able to reach food put in the centre of the table. You can hang your peanut holders from hooks at the corners. Big birds then are restricted to anything that the smaller birds drop on the ground. If they do find out how to get to the food on the table you can surround the part under the roof with large mesh plastic covered wire, which the small birds can get through. Shooting them is not a lot of good as there are plenty more! And if you are not a good shot you would probably injure rather than kill,causing much pain and agony. Leave the guns to the army.
2016-04-01 03:25:10 · answer #2 · answered by Brenda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Pigeons are classed as vermin in the uk but I'm sure there is health and saftey regulations covering the culling of them and as others have said contact the CAB about it or try the RSPCA again and have a word at the Police station they would be interested if he's getting drunk and shooting
2007-06-12 02:58:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're from the UK this is classified as a nuisance. A nuisance must be an on-going thing (not necessarily 24/7 but definetly more than a one-off thing) that interferes with either your physical property, or your comfort and enjoyment of the property.
If you were to seek a nuisance claim, it is highly likely that you would succeed. Following which the judge will probably grant... (in this particular case)
a) an injunction to stop the behaviour
b) and POSSIBLY damages (compensation to yourself and your wife)
2007-06-12 02:50:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not think you can use a shot gun in a residential area.
This clown is going to miss and hurt someone before long.
Are you in a residential area? do you have other neighbours if so a quiet word with the police may well help but you do not want them calling on you so visit them. A bit sneaky but better than having a load of buckshot in your face
2007-06-12 05:11:43 · answer #5 · answered by Scouse 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If in the UK it is now illegal to own an air rifle without a license - the only exception is those air weapons powered by gas canister! Any other air weapon is illegal and the owner has to have a license.
Secondly, the discharging of an air weapon into another property is also illegal and the owner can be arrested and charged under firearms legislation. If convicted a prison sentence is a possibility.
Discharging the weapon within the confines of his own property is not illegal HOWEVER the owner must ensure that discharged pellets CAN NOT escape his boundary and enter another person's boundary. Again he could be arrested and charged.
The RSPCA also have powers to act under animal protection laws -
You need to liaise with your local PCSO or Home Beat Officer to sort this nutcase out.
2007-06-12 02:52:54 · answer #6 · answered by jamand 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I'm almost sure that he's breaking the law by having it loaded in a public place (residential), and more so for shooting wildlife without a permit, even if people consider pidgeons vermin it's cruel on them if they are not killed with a clean shot and left to suffer.
Have a look at this link:
http://f4bscale.worldonline.co.uk/gunlaw.htm
2007-06-12 02:54:11 · answer #7 · answered by Metalfinga 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not from the UK...but I can offer a bit of advice..I was going through a custody battle with my exhusband and his mother was trying to have me arrested for harassment (she picked up and dropped off my son on any number of occasions) She said I was threatening her and what not...anyway, what I did was video tape the exchange of my son..EVERY DAY!!! I ended up with so many video tapes of me being peaceful and her acting like an idiot that not only were all the charges dropped against me but she was charged with filing a false statement...thats all besides the point...what I'm getting at is this....If it is at all possible, video the neighbor during the activity, that way you have solid proof that he is the one doing it and there won't be any questions asked when you go to the authorities....good luck...
2007-06-12 03:01:29 · answer #8 · answered by Penelope 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would think an inquiry to the police is called for here. He should not be discharging a gun within range of other houses. He is harming wildlife, and sounds as if he is unhinged. Take care, but do something about it, before someone gets hurt
2007-06-12 02:49:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
depends what he is shooting the birds with and what birds they are, if its a shot gun then i suggest you inform the police as he should have a license for it. if it is an air rifle then no license needed. all i can say is when you get a dead bird chuck it back into his garden and call your local council enviromental officer and inform them of the situation
2007-06-12 02:53:40 · answer #10 · answered by TONY D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋