UNITED KINGDOM -- A cruel man who kept his golden eagle in a squalid flat has been banned from keeping pets for 10 years.
RSPCA officials have slammed
Adam Smith, 54, for leaving the bird of prey tied up in his “disgusting” kitchen in Pembroke, West Wales.
The room was littered with bin bags, empty whiskey bottles and leftover food, Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard.
Speaking on the case, RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben described the scene as the “craziest thing [he’d] ever seen”.
He said: “You certainly don’t expect to see a Golden Eagle in someone’s kitchen.”
The large female bird of prey – which can grow up to 7ft wide – was being kept in foul conditions in the tiny third-floor apartment.
She was forced to stand on a makeshift perch that was surrounded by a mixture of debris and rubbish.
Disgusted animal welfare officers snapped pictures of the state the poor bird was forced to live in before being rescued.
The golden eagle – one of the best-known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere – is normally found in mountain ranges across the world.
Neighbors tipped the RSPCA off after realizing Smith was keeping the large bird in his small flat, and the eagle was set free after a raid in January.
Smith appeared in court over accusations of failing to ensure the golden eagle was provided with a suitable environment which was hygienic and free from hazards.
RSPCA inspector Mr Hogben said: “It is totally just unthinkable.
“The conditions that the golden eagle were kept in were not suitable by any means, there were bags full of rubbish scattered over the floor and the bird was unable to spread her wings in all directions in what was a dark, alien environment.
“She had been kept in disgusting conditions that were totally unsuitable for any animal, let alone a golden eagle.
“Golden eagles require very specialist and expert care and members of the public should not be looking after them in their homes.”
After appearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Smith was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years, slapped with a £73 fine, a £60 victim surcharge and a 12 month community order.
He has also been ordered to pay £200 in costs.
The 54-year-old pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act.
Speaking at court, an RSPCA spokeswoman commented on the bird’s return to the wild: “The golden eagle – aged around three to four years – is currently in specialist care and is doing well.”
(
Sun UK - Oct 17, 2016)
