Latest news with #ChrisShelley
BBC News
29-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
RSPB appeal to dog owners after attacks on Norfolk beach colony
Beach wardens have launched a desperate appeal to dog owners after "deeply upsetting scenes" damaged a rare seabird Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) report that a flourishing colony of little terns on the Norfolk coast has been disturbed by dogs who were allowed off their Chris Shelley, Norfolk Police's Rural Crime Officer, said: "This reckless behaviour around vulnerable nesting birds is not only distressing to witness, but also completely illegal."We urge dog owners to keep their pets on leads around wildlife to avoid disturbing protected species and risking prosecution." The RSPB is not naming the location of the colony beyond saying it is on the east coast of Norfolk but say it is home to around 600 adults and between 400-500 volunteers and conservationists have reported a strong breeding season this year, with just weeks to go until the last chicks are due to fledge and take two incidents of dogs running through the colony and attacking chicks last week have put that success at Rowland, the RSPB's area manager for Norfolk, said: "We are grateful to the many dog walkers who keep their dogs on leads where there are birds nesting on the ground, during the sensitive summer months."But even the gentlest family pet can cause distress or destruction to birds when running off-lead through a nesting colony."Last week, our wardens witnessed a number of deeply upsetting scenes involving uncontrolled dogs running through the colony, disturbing nests, picking up chicks in their mouths and killing at least four chicks that we know of. "Despite wardens getting to the scene immediately, sadly it was too late to save the chicks," Mr Rowland added. "The adult birds were also panicked and fled their nests, which can leave chicks vulnerable to other predators."It's devastating for the colony at such a critical time, after such a successful summer."So far this year the RSPB has counted 83 little terns fledging the colony, with more than 250 chicks set to fly the nest birds are amber listed on the UK's Birds of Conservation Concern, with the RSPB estimating there are around 1,900 breeding pairs in the Police is encouraging any witnesses to the incidents to contact them. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
ITV News
01-06-2025
- ITV News
Norfolk Police appeal as otter dies after being shot in the head near Aylsham
An otter has been euthanised after it was shot in the head with an "air weapon". The animal was found in Buxton near Aylsham, Norfolk on Wednesday, but is thought to have travelled some distance before being discovered, Norfolk Police said. The otter was put down due to the severity of its injuries and the force is appealing for anyone in the area with information to come forward. PC Chris Shelley said: 'This is a deeply upsetting incident involving a protected species. "We are urging anyone who may have seen suspicious activity involving air weapons, slingshots, or similar devices in the area to come forward.' Otters are protected under UK and European law and the use of air weapons and similar devices against wildlife has been "a growing concern nationally", Norfolk Police said. A dedicated police operation - Operation Lakeshot - has been launched to better understand and tackle the crime. Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Chris Shelley via email at quoting incident number 36/36976/25.
