It has been a very difficult week, but made bearable by the totally incredible response to my blog post on Monday evening after Lunar’s death. I did not publish the post until gone 11pm and by midnight, over 1500 had viewed it. What happened on Tuesday was astounding. Over the course of the day, my Blog, Twitter feed, FB page and personal email was full of heartfelt condolences. Some just wanted to say how terribly sad they were, others vented anger at this barbaric practice and some told me how their cats were killed in a similar way.
By the end of the day, my blog post had seen nearly 11,000 views.
This response has helped me tremendously and I would like to thank very single person who took the time to comment or contact me in that week. There are too many of you to thank you individually, but I am so grateful.
So, where are we now? Lichfield Police and the Wildlife Crime Officers have been fantastic. They take wildlife crime very seriously and matters are in their hands. I have had numerous phone calls and visits from them and we really hope that Lunar’s death will not be in vain. As this is part of an investigation now, I do not want to release any further details.
What can YOU do, as a resident of the Lichfield area or anyone who lives in, drives around or is often out in the countryside?
Wildlife Crime happens all over the world. Here in the UK many wild animals are protected by law. It is illegal to buy, sell or harm them, yet the illegal wildlife trade still thrives, putting many wild animals in danger of cruelty and exploitation. Whether someone kills a local swan or shoots a wild animal for its horns on the Plains of Africa, both are criminal offences.
Examples of wildlife crime include:
Badger persecution – violence towards badgers, including badger-baiting.
Bat persecution – disturbing, injuring or killing bats, and damaging or obstructing their roosts.
Illegal trade of species – smuggling protected species and parts (such as tortoises, ivory and caviar).
Freshwater Pearl Mussels – an endangered species it is an offence to kill, take or injure them.
Poaching/coursing – Game, deer and fish illegally caught and sold.
Raptor persecution – illegally trapping, poisoning or shooting wild birds and animals.
Theft/disturbance of wild birds, their eggs and nests – stealing eggs, damaging or disrupting nests.
Theft/disturbance of wild animals, plants or habitat – damaging or obstructing any place used for their shelter or protection.
Animal cruelty – treating any wild mammal with intent to cause unnecessary suffering.
Invasive species – non-native species that negatively impact our native species, health or economy.
Hunting with dogs – certain forms of hunting with dogs is illegal since the Hunting Act 2004.
European Protected Species – plants and animals (other than birds) that are protected by law throughout the European Union.
Source: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/get-involved/our-campaigns/national-campaigns/wildlife-crime/
Here in Staffordshire, we have an active Wildlife Crime and Rural Crime Unit and their support has been excellent. Staffordshire Police is a member of the wider ‘Staffordshire Wildlife and Countryside Protection Group’. This group meets quarterly with the intention of making real progress by addressing wildlife and rural crime issues currently targeting communities within Staffordshire.
Staffordshire Police have a team of specialised Wildlife Crime Officers stationed throughout the county. Between them they have many years of experience in dealing with Wildlife and Countryside Matters.
You can find out more HERE
A few years ago, this video was released:
This video was produced by Suffolk Constabulary… it highlights similar issues and how vigilance and working with the general public can really make a difference.
What can YOU do?
The only way we can stop incidences such as this is by reporting them. Between us we have millions of eyes on the countryside. If you are in rural areas and you see something suspicious; vans parked in lay-bys, men with dogs, torches out on dark fields, then REPORT it. If it is happening as you watch, ring 999. You can report any incidences on 101 and ask to speak to a Wildlife Crime Officer
If you have information which may assist in the prevention or detection of Wildlife Crime and you do not wish to reveal your identity you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
You can contact Staffs Wildlife Crime by e-mail on wildlife.crime@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
The Lichfield Wildlife Crime Office is PC Richard Allsopp and I would like to thank him for his visit and the time he spent with me discussing ways forward with the evidence I have handed over to the police. You can contact Richard direct at if you have any information you think can help with this case or would like to report any other wildlife crimes: richard.allsopp@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
Please be vigilant.
As soon as I am in a position to do so, I will update on the progress of the case.
Thank you again for all your support , it has certainly made a very harrowing week a little more bearable.
