On March 15, when entering the Broughton Community Shop, a staff member saw the “horrifying” scenario.
After the store, police discovered roughly fifty dead hares, a kestrel, and a barn owl.
After conducting an investigation, members of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Country Watch unit found that the kestrel and barn owl had been shot with a gun.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 lists both birds on Schedule 1, providing them with legal protection.
Charges against the individual who was detained include criminal damage, killing a Schedule 1 bird, killing a brown hare, and night poaching.
In addition, he faces charges related to violations of the Firearms Act, the Animal Welfare Act, and the Public Order Act.
On Thursday night, the police reported that he was still being held.
Since the event, we have been aggressively pursuing several lines of inquiry and collaborating with partner authorities to determine the circumstances behind what transpired, according to Country Watch Sergeant Stuart Ross.
