Man banned from keeping birds for five years

A man has been disqualified from keeping birds for five years after police seized wild owls from his address which were being kept in unsuitable conditions.

Alan Mee, 61, of Larch Avenue, Newton-le-Willows, appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Monday 17 July where he pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of an animal, and two counts of possessing a wild bird.

On 20 June, 2022, Cheshire Police’s Rural Crime Team, Merseyside Police, RSPCA, and Natural England executed a warrant as a result of information relating to wild birds in the Cheshire area.

Cheshire Police led on the warrant at Mee’s address in Newton-le-Willows and three tawny owls were located, two of which were suspected to have been taken from the wild.

All three owls were seized due to the conditions they were being kept in, which included having dirty water, no feeding area, and the aviary being too small.

Mee was interviewed under police caution in relation to the offence before being charged.

He was disqualified from keeping birds for a period of five years and also incurred a fine and court costs to the value of £823.

PC Ashley Tether, of the Rural Crime Unit, said:

“This case demonstrates the importance of working with our partner agencies to tackle wildlife crime and combat those responsible for the suffering of animals.

“The three tawny owls seized from Mee’s address were kept in poor conditions with no access to fresh water, an adequate enclosure size, or a clean food ledge.

“Mee is now disqualified from owning, keeping, participating in the keeping, or influencing the way birds are kept, for a period of five years. 

“I hope this acts as a reminder that we are committed to doing all we can to help protect our wildlife.”