Countryside Alliance condemns the shooting of two buzzards in the Yorkshire Dales

As one of the signatories to last year's joint statement condemning all forms of raptor persecution, the Countryside Alliance was appalled to see the footage showing two buzzards being illegally lured, and then shot, on a grouse moor in the Yorkshire Dales in April 2020.

Although the RSPB says it is in no doubt as to the identity of the person responsible, the evidence was sadly insufficient for the Police to prosecute the individual as he was unidentifiable.

The Countryside Alliance joins others in being incredibly frustrated by this, as anyone carrying out such an offence deserves to face the full force of the law. There is no excuse for the illegal killing of any bird of prey, and no place for the small minority of individuals responsible for such actions in a sector that is otherwise overwhelmingly positive for the countryside, and so important for many of our remote rural communities.

Should anyone know of, or encounter, any form of raptor persecution they are therefore urged to report it to their local police force immediately. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously through Crimestoppers by telephoning 0800 555 111.