Justice....what justice

[DaveMcBride]

Maybe not the best place to put this, but most of us are concerned enough about birds to care. I (and many others) had really hoped for a proper prison sentence for these idiots.....but guess what?
Yep, the police lost the evidence and they walked!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7538217.stm

Think I may just go over to Amersham and join the lynch mob....

[Redrib]

I'm with you Dave...idiots all the way around! Geez what creeps...think I'll join that lynch mob too!

[DaveMcBride]

For anyone who may be interested in the outcome of this case....I can only say I am completely dissapointed in the legal system

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/3940510.Compensation_for_swan_trial_defendants/

[aligater]

Dave,
any ideas why they killed them ? ...also found amongst the remains........."There was also a heron and a Marsh Harrier found with the swans. The Marsh Harrier is a bird that is protected under special law at all times and that makes this even more galling." Chesham can`t be that big............"Stephen Barrett, 38, Marcus Walker, 51, and Darren Walker, 47, all from Chesham" .............B@$t@rds.

[DaveMcBride]

Their addresses were published in the press and can also be found in news articles on the web. I am sure they have had, and will have many visitors expressing their sympathy.

[Pete]

Ok guys. I understand this is an emotional issue here, but this isn't the place to discuss political issues.

[aligater]

Glad to hear it......... hope this raises their profiles a little more......nice post.

[aligater]

Ok guys. I understand this is an emotional issue here, but this isn't the place to discuss political issues.

Okay, just annoyed and frustrated. :(

[DaveMcBride]

Sory Pete, are you saying there is a place here, or just that there isn't. There should be as part of being a wildlife photographer is helping to protect the creatures you love to photograph. Does the world go something like this...

"Hey, someone just shot that Marsh Harrier!"
"It's OK, I got my photo first. I have no further obligation but thanks for mentioning it. Hopefully there will be another along soon"

[Natural Images]

If the "Marsh Harrier is a bird that is protected under special law" then why did they drop this case, lack of evidence?

[DaveMcBride]

Not only is the Harrier protected, the Mute Swan is known in England as the Queen's bird (Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II) The Queen has a prerogative over all swans in England and Wales. The Swan Keeper also despatches swans all over the world, sent as gifts in the Queens name. The only two companies that still observe the tradition of owning swans on the Thames are the Worshipful Companies of Vintners and Dyers. The Royal swans are no longer marked, but an unmarked mute swan on the Thames is regarded as belonging to the Queen by default. The Queen still maintains an officially-appointed Swan Keeper, and the ceremony still takes place on the Monday of the third week in July.
If people have no respect for these birds then what hope do any others have? Swans are a delicacy in many east european countries and many British swans 'dissapeared' when the borders were opened and the huge influx of migrants and immigrants hit this country. A handy (and free) meal I presume. I remember the arrest of one man, found with blood on his clothes and swan feathers all over his beard and clothes...he of course denied killing any swans.

[andrewhuxman]

Ok guys. I understand this is an emotional issue here, but this isn't the place to discuss political issues.

Politics? where is anything being said about politics.... just an observation. I see opinions and anger and frustration but dont see politics.