The public’s reaction to what gamekeeper Colin Burne did to those trapped buzzards (see here) has been widespread disgust and condemnation. People have been commenting all over the social media networks, with many angered that Burne’s punishment was so pathetic (a 12 month suspended sentence – in other words, keep your nose clean for the next year and we’ll say no more about it).
We thought it’d be interesting to read what the game-shooting industry’s leaders had to say about the case. At the very least, we would expect outright condemnation of Burne’s activities and a warning to others that criminal activites will not be tolerated by the industry. We visited a few websites this morning and this is what we found:
National Gamekeepers Organisation: silence
British Association for Conservation & Shooting (BASC): silence
Countryside Alliance: silence
Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust: silence
Now, compare these responses with that of the National Association of Regional Game Councils in Ireland, who reacted to the illegal shooting of a buzzard in January this year. Here’s what NARGC Director Des Crofton had to say:
“The shooting of birds of prey, who are all protected, can only be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The person who shot this bird is not fit to have a firearm. I would urge the authorities, if the person is identified, that they are prosecuted, have their firearm licence revoked and never allowed have one again. This is inexcusable. If I ever found one of my members was responsible for something like this, he would be out of the association so fast his feet wouldn’t touch the ground“.
We blogged about Des Crofton’s statement at the time (see here), and mentioned that an equally strong leadership approach was required from industry leaders in England and Scotland. Sadly, it seems they’re not up to the job.
It would also be good to see a statement from the estate that leased the land to the Cliburn Shoot syndicate, stating that the lease had been withdrawn.
Raptor Persecution UK 
And again what about vicarious liability?
[Ed: it was in England, so VL doesn’t apply].
Don’t hold your breath!..The “traditional” response by the landowning/shooting hierarchy is to stay quiet for a week or two and avoid the public anger..then to contact conservation, police and justice system pals at a high level and try to close down such shocking public attacks on “chaps just trying to do their job”.
As pointed out on a comment to your first post the most important question here must be..why the hell cant we have such evidence accepted in Scotland?…its being shown to work in England…it has worked in Scotland…[only one scottish trial went awry and that was just one Sheriff’s decision, not legally binding]…what are the authorities afraid of?
The ‘authorities’ aren’t afraid Dave. It’s just that they don’t have the backbone or the organs of regeneration to take on the very, very expensive lawyers that poor gamekkepers seem to be able to hire. Simple as that I’m afraid. It costs too much to protect our wildlife from the rich.
Were only asking their thoughts on illegal behaviour in their field! No comment? Aint that the response usually given by hardened criminals with no moral compass. ?