Reward offered following 'sickening' incident at Wicksteed Park: Kettering
(NN15 - Wednesday, 2 November, 2011)

Police officers are appealing for witnesses following criminal damage at Wicksteed Park in Kettering.

The incident took place between 7pm on Tuesday 1 and 8am on Wednesday 2 November.

Unknown offender/s coaxed a pair of parrots to an aviary fence and cut off their legs through the mesh.

The birds have since had to be put down by a vet.

Wicksteed Park has also issued the following press release:

At 8.05am, Kevin Lenton, the head gardener of Wicksteed Park, who looks after the aviary, discovered two parrots lying on the floor of their cage with their feet apparently cut off.

The birds were bleeding but still alive, although they later had to be put down.

The vet who examined the birds was of the opinion that the attack was carried out by people rather than another animal.

The birds (nicknamed Sid and Nancy by park staff) were male and female Amazon Orange Winged Parrots donated to the park in April this year.

The parrots were worth around £1,000 each and were two years old.

A £500 reward is being offered for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the incident.

John Roberts, Managing Director of Wicksteed Park, said:

"This appears to be a horrible case of cruelty involving two of the much-cherished and popular birds at the park.

"The cages in our aviary are mink proof and the way the birds' feet had been cut suggests that they were pulled through the cage.

"The vet who examined the birds said that the fact that they were still alive this morning would suggest that this was done in the early hours of today.

"We have reported the incident to the police and are currently viewing CCTV footage of the aviary and surrounding area.

"This is an awful incident which has sickened everyone involved with the park and we are doing all we can to help police catch the people responsible."

Witnesses to this incident, or anyone with information, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police Force: Northamptonshire

Address:
Wicksteed Park
Kettering
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
NN15