Bird rescue man guilty of owl attacks

A 68-year-old man who claimed to be running an animal rescue centre in Shropshire has escaped an immediate prison sentence after being found guilty of kicking and punching several birds of prey. William MacKenzie was filmed by neighbours mistreating several protected species of owl at his Shrewsbury home over two years.


Photo from SWNS.

MacKenzie, of Boscobel Drive, Heath Farm, was found guilty of nine animal welfare charges and handed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also given a lifetime ban from keeping any type of animals and ordered to wear an electronic tag for six months as well as pay £500 in costs.

During the two-day trial, Shrewsbury Magistrates Court was shown video footage, filmed by neighbours, which showed MacKenzie striking and kicking several birds in his garden, including a snowy owl and an African spotted eagle owl. Chairman of the magistrates’ bench Mrs Maxine Taplin, said: “There is clear evidence of suffering.”


YouTube link.

Following the verdict, RSPCA inspector Dave McCartney said: “His behaviour is exaggerated by the fact that he was running a rescue centre supposedly caring for sick and injured birds. He was, in his own words, ‘experienced and knowledgeable’ and should have known what he was doing was wrong. For some birds there was no escape. They were tethered when they were hit.” MacKenzie said it was his hobby to rescue birds which had been abandoned or involved in road accidents. He was known to exhibit them across Shropshire.