The long-running trial of prominent falconer and eagle breeder Andrew Knowles-Brown, 69, from Elvanfoot, Scotland concluded at Lanark Sheriff Court yesterday where he was found guilty of multiple offences relating to the welfare of approx 90 eagles and some parrots at his breeding facility, the Scottish Eagle Centre.
This was the second trial Knowles-Brown had faced – in February 2023 he was cleared of all charges at Lanark Sheriff Court in relation to the alleged mistreatment of ten imported White-bellied sea eagles at the Scottish Eagle Centre (see here).
However, for reasons that are still unclear to me, the charges facing Knowles- Brown were split into two separate trials, with the second trial focusing on allegations of causing unnecessary suffering to a number of eagle species, failing to ensure the welfare of a number of parrots, and failing to ensure the welfare of approx 90 eagles. Knowles-Brown, and his fellow accused, Alan Rothery, 65, had denied all the charges.
The charges against Rothery were not proven but Knowles-Brown was found guilty of all charges except one (in relation to the welfare of a golden eagle). He was found to have caused unnecessary suffering to the eagles and parrots and to have failed to protect them from injury, suffering and disease between June and December 2019.
Many of the birds were found in squalid caged conditions where they were unable to exhibit natural behaviour and had no access to clean water.
This investigation has been ongoing for five years, since the Scottish SPCA and Police Scotland raided the Scottish Eagle Centre in January 2019 amidst concerns for the welfare of the eagles being bred by Knowles-Brown.
Eagle expert Dave Anderson from the Scottish Raptor Study Group attended the raid to safely catch and handle any birds that the vets wanted to inspect. Following the end of the trial yesterday, Dave commented:
“I was genuinely shocked at how the birds were being kept. Long rows of golden eagles tethered on bow perches, which had clearly been there for some time and allowed limited movement other than a hop from ground to perch.
The blocks of box profile cages running parallel to each other were reminiscent of some old Victorian film and reminded me of jail cells or a lunatic asylum.
Different species of eagle were housed next to each other, some noisy like the sea eagles of which there were many, next to Aquila eagles such as Golden and Verreauxs, where calling and screams from their neighbours, the only light was upwards! To me nothing could be more depressing.
I came in to the yard where an African fish eagle was calling through the bars of its caged window, with no water and feet deep of unused food and faeces. The door was locked so we couldn’t gain entry, and no key was found to enter that cage.
We moved around finding squalid conditions in all corners, rat cages in the drains. We moved to yet another section where we found a Tawny eagle on the floor of an aviary where 2 other eagles were defecating on top of it, the grounded eagle had no where to go, this bird could not open its foot and its wings were severely damaged. I caught and held this bird so it could be assessed by an avian vet. I held this poor eagle as it was put to sleep. What a sad waste of a life, this bird had clearly been suffering for some time.
In my opinion, none of this obsession was to benefit eagle conservation, this seemed to be for profit and profit only by someone who claims to care and know about eagles. I have worked with wild eagles for more than 40 years, I still really cant put in to words just how such a facility and the conditions all those poor eagles were made to live in, make me feel. I am extremely angry about what I saw but hopefully some form of justice will be handed down to Mr Knowles-Brown for the suffering he presided over for so long.
It’s taken 5 long years for the guilty verdicts to be handed down, I only hope that the decision is made to rehome all the eagles to people who can genuinely give them a life of stimulation and some freedom which they deserve“.
In court yesterday, Sheriff Diane Turner said:
“It is blindingly obvious to me that there were some really significant issues with the overall standards in the facility and I’m satisfied that it did cause a risk to the welfare of the birds and that they did suffer because of that.”
Knowles-Brown will be sentenced next month and the Sheriff is reportedly considering whether to disqualify him from keeping birds. If suitable homes cannot be found for the eagles it is unlikely that Knowles-Brown will be disqualified. If anyone reading this has suitable facilities, please contact the Scottish SPCA.
Knowles-Brown is a prominent figure in the falconry world, having served as the Chair of the Scottish Hawk Board and Vice-Chair of the UK Hawk Board.
The Hawk Board, which enjoys close ties with the Countryside Alliance, represents falconers, hawk-keepers and falconry clubs and provides welfare guidelines for those keeping raptors in captivity.
It also engages in political lobbying (e.g. it was against the Scottish Government’s decision to afford the Mountain Hare full legal protection) and Knowles-Brown himself has provided evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs Committee when it was considering its draft Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill.
UPDATE 6th January 2025: Sentencing for convicted eagle breeder Andrew Knowles-Brown delayed until June 2025 (here).
UPDATE 15 October 2025: Prominent falconer Andrew Knowles-Brown fined almost £14,000 for ‘shocking’ animal cruelty (here)
Raptor Persecution UK 
Can none of these birds be released?
How about the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Andover?
This makes very grim reading and took far too long it is a total disgrace these people should be banned from keeping any living creature and xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx for this too take all this time before a decision was made is a very clear look at what is wrong with the justice system today truly sickening just like the middle ages . I am now getting to the stage where I am a little ashamed of being a member of a species who could behave in such a manner xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx. The possesion of Eagles is surely licensed and regular should be carried out.
Totally agree with everything you’ve said x
I totally agree with alsere32’s comments. Even I, living in a town environment, feel these majestic birds should be looked after in an environment not associated with this inhumane man who it appears to me, has only been regarding them as a means of making money and does not appear to have the respect that humans should have for any creature, (wild or domesticated) beit animal, bird, fish, insect, reptile or amphibian deserves care and respect when kept by us humans, I know I don’t have the correct environment to offer to house any of these birds, but if I could, even just for one of them, I would. I really hope they are all found somewhere safe to be, which might restore some positive reactions between them and their keeper/carer.
What an appalling storey:-(
why doesn’t this appalling crime – with such expert eye witness testimony hit the national news for all to see.
Daily Record: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-eagle-sanctuary-owner-33893503
Glasgow Live: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/lanarkshire-owner-eagle-breeding-centre-30152211
The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/eagle-breeder-found-guilty-of-keeping-birds-in-squalid-conditions-2wcn8lm9r
It’s also in the Daily Mail but I’m not providing a link to that rag.
That last sentence made me laugh Ruth, well said.
Given the behavioural impact on captive birds of prey, even on those birds kept in satisfactory conditions, I question the wisdom of this activity. It reeks of arrogance, self importance, money and hubris. Let them fly free.
I just cannot comprehend that this man, supposedly a well-regarded so-called “expert” in the keeping and rearing of these birds, is going to be allowed to continue as a person allowed to keep birds of any sort, I would ask that he receives a custodial sentence and a huge fine and ban from keeping birds and animals for life, and not a suspended sentence which appears to be the norm in matters such as these. To set an example like this might just make people stop and think and realise this is not the way to treat wildlife of any sort.
Thank you – I agree with every word, Vivien.
It seems to be difficult enough to get prosecutions of such people, then to have judges handing down risible sentences in so many cases adds insult to injury.
A distressing account of lack of care. Hopefully justice will be served. Who has been looking after these birds for the last 5 years ?.
ONLY HOPE THAT THIS xxxxx MAN IS NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE ANY ANIMALS, BIRDS, REPTILES – ANY CREATURE EVER AGAIN.
My sentiments exactly, should be automatically banned from keeping any bird or animal!
Poor birds another upsetting read hopefully justice will prevail but why does everything take so long .
I agree with other people who have posted that this xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx man should be banned form keeping any creature for life.
They hold an Eagle Festival in Moffat annually, it is in September usually. When I attended this a few years ago I was concerned at the conditions a Golden Eagle was being kept in. This bird was on public display, kept tethered on a short rope, couldn’t move much and had no access to water. The appearance it had suggested it was distressed. It was held in this state for about 6 hours each day all over the weekend. There was no Golden Eagle there the following year so may be someone pursued this then. xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx.
I brought concerns up about xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx
severe fine and punishment. Life ban on keeping any type of bird/animal
I concur!
I believe it was tried in two separate cases as the white bellies sea eagles were a quarantine care and housing, with the difference in the animals health upon import arrival and completing quarantine there. Whereas the large raid was done on his permanent housing and breeding facilities.
Well done to the SSPCA.
Wild animals should not be kept for any reason other than injury or for conservation under strict rules.
So the raid was 5 years ago, and the birds have been caged like this all this time, while various officials made up their minds to take on this important person
This iis disgusting I hope he goes to prison & never allowed to keep birds again, get the word out again about finding suitable alternatives for these majestic birds.
it clearly illustrates how the SSPCA is the correct organisation, and a necessary organisation, for handling of any cruelty or killing of protected species in Scotland. The police and other organisations should be grateful that they are available.