Yobs shot geese on Caldon Canal
ARMED police were called to a canal after two youths were seen shooting at geese.
Officers from Staffordshire Police were called to the Baddeley Green stretch of the Caldon Canal but failed to catch the suspects.
-
A police helicopter was also deployed while officers tried to track down the two offenders.
It is thought they used air rifles to shoot at the geese before fleeing the scene.
Cheap Motor Insurance Nationwide With Free Legal Expenses Valued...
View detailsCheap Motor Insurance Nationwide With Free Legal Expenses Valued at £25.00! Call 01782 898188
Terms: 1 Voucher Per Customer
Contact: 01782 898188
Valid until: Saturday, July 20 2013
It is not yet known if the geese were killed following the incident which happened at around 5pm on Saturday.
Police last night said they had identified one of the two people involved but were yet to make any arrests.
Meanwhile, residents said they were left disgusted by the incident.
Eighty five-year-old Jack Grantham, who walks along the canal three times a week, said the site is a popular meeting place for gangs of youths.
Mr Grantham, of Stockton Brook, said: "There are always people under the bridges who have caused problems before. I tell them to go away, but they take no notice of me.
"Ducks and geese have been killed before and it is not right because they are innocent animals."
Dog-walker Andrew Cartlidge, said: "When the police catch them they should line them up and do the same to them and see how they like it."
The 44-year-old, of Norton Green, added: "It is a shame that things like this happen but there is no way of stopping it unless there is a police officer patrolling the canal."
Forty seven-year-old Lawrence Poole, of Baddeley Green added: "I saw the police helicopter hovering over the canal and wondered what was going on.
"I have never heard anything like it before, why would anybody want to shoot at ducks?
"There's never normally that many problems around here so I just hope it is a one-off."
The Sentinel reported in May how two adult swans and six two-week old cygnets were shot dead with pellets from an air rifle at Ford Green Hall nature reserve, in Smallthorne, on May 13.
Police later charged 23-year-old Adrian Bradburn, of Dartmouth Street, Burslem, with intentionally killing wild birds.
But the trial was later abandoned after a key witness, believed to be a juvenile, refused to give evidence.
Staffordshire Police said the RSPCA have been informed and efforts were continuing to try to track down one of the suspects.
Officers are now urging witnesses to come forward to help them track down the other suspect.
Anyone with any information should contact Staffordshire Police on 101.
Comments
by stokeandproud
Thursday, November 29 2012, 8:10PM
“MOLE10 ha ha your clearly affected by the police protecting residents, lets hope you never need them, first off they don't have air force one, that's the president, (usa) secondly they don't have a swat team, that's also in the usa, i think you may be watching to many American cops shows, may i suggest you, once in a while you turn off the tv, leave your home, get some fresh air, and a job and if you believe you can do a better job, join up and put your life on the line, on average one police officer every 6 months over the last ten years has been killed on duty, not to mention the ones seriously injured,
until they actually make the area safe, how do they know its only an air rifle, how do they asses the situation until they are there?, do you want them to go in with nothing then if they get shot at by a real gun then go and fetch theres ? its easy to criticise, its hard to suit up and make a difference, what are you doing to make a diference ?”
by mole10
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 10:43AM
“What's the Home Office guidlines for approaching a blind man with a white stick?”
by shotgun_tez
Monday, October 22 2012, 8:24PM
“and i will add the bobbys not my fave but firearms these days not always some kids mucking about with a cap gun the range of guns that young or old can get nowadays is concerning as stated the bobbys not my fave but as above they must respond often replicas...but sadly the real thing”
by shotgun_tez
Monday, October 22 2012, 8:19PM
“should line the ******s up and give them both barrels or hang the ****ts some heartless tommy crankers about...”
by Denser
Monday, October 22 2012, 8:06PM
“The police respond to firearms incidents in line with Home Office and ACPO guidelines. May I suggest if you don't like it you complain to your MP or the Tories new idea of Policing and Crime Commisioners when elected.”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, October 22 2012, 6:29PM
“Gary, your kind of policing got two young police officers killed the other week. Firearms are not rear you Know, they are common. We don't need the same thing happening hear. The police can respond however they see fit without the like of you trying to hold them to public account.”
by mole10
Monday, October 22 2012, 6:10PM
“I don't see anyone suggesting the police do not respond to an incident, but the thought that a swat team is deployed is ludicrous.”
by Denser
Monday, October 22 2012, 4:52PM
“They shot at horses and ducks, animals were killed in a public place. The police responded to numerous calls from the public. That's what we want them to do morons !”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, October 22 2012, 4:52PM
“In all honesty Gary, someone should take a few pops at you with air rifle, dammed idiot.”
by mole10
Monday, October 22 2012, 2:36PM
“Read the story again Warren and take your time.
Young lads have shot at geese, but none are found shot.
The Cops know who did it, but haven't got them (look in the phone book).
They deployed air force one to look for undead geese and young lads who live up the road.
The Cops went in armed to the teeth (as a precaution).
Someone is playing Bobbies methinks.”