Scottish SPCA

Gamekeeper convicted of bird poisoning

A South Lanarkshire gamekeeper has been convicted of deliberately poisoning wild birds following a Scottish SPCA led investigation.

David Whitefield, 45, formerly of Keepers Cottage, Coulter, was sentenced to 100 hours community service at Lanark Sheriff Court on Thursday (5 January).

Whitefield pled guilty to intentionally misusing highly poisonous chemicals to kill three common buzzards between April and November 2009 in order to protect game birds at Culter Allers Farm near Biggar.

Inspectors from our Special Investigations Unit found enough poison to kill approximately 8,000 birds when they searched outbuildings at the farm in a multi-agency investigation with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID) and RSPB Scotland.

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, "The systematic targeting and poisoning of birds of prey for the protection of game birds is a serious wildlife crime that is extremely difficult to identify and prove.

"We are therefore delighted that Whitefield has been convicted of this offence. In addition to receiving a community service order, Whitefield now has a criminal record and has also lost his job and his home as a result of his crime.

"Not only were his actions deliberate and cruel, but the manner in which the poisons were stored and used was extremely reckless.

"A rabbit carcass which had been laced with chloralose, a highly poisonous substance, was left uncovered and in an open area of countryside, which presented a serious and significant danger to persons, companion animals and other wildlife.

"We would like to thank the Procurator Fiscal for his determination in pursuing this case."

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