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Game birds massacred by thieves Game birds massacred by thieves
(about 3 hours later)
More than 200 pheasants have been bludgeoned to death during a night time break-in at a country estate, police have confirmed.More than 200 pheasants have been bludgeoned to death during a night time break-in at a country estate, police have confirmed.
The birds were stolen after being killed in the grounds of Hopetoun Estate, West Lothian.The birds were stolen after being killed in the grounds of Hopetoun Estate, West Lothian.
Lothian and Borders Police said it was "highly likely" they had been stolen for sale.Lothian and Borders Police said it was "highly likely" they had been stolen for sale.
But they warned they were not fit for human consumption as they were being treated for a respiratory disease.But they warned they were not fit for human consumption as they were being treated for a respiratory disease.
A police spokesman said: "It is highly likely that whoever is responsible for killing the birds is looking to offer them for sale.A police spokesman said: "It is highly likely that whoever is responsible for killing the birds is looking to offer them for sale.
"These pheasants are likely to be in a bad condition, with bruising on their bodies, and we would ask people or businesses who suspect they may have been offered them for sale to contact police immediately. "These pheasants are likely to be in a bad condition, with bruising on their bodies, and we would ask people or businesses who suspect they may have been offered them for sale to contact police immediately. My biggest concern is that someone tries to reintroduce them back into the food chain Pc Jim McGovernWildlife crime officer
"Similarly, we would ask anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area on the night in question to get in touch.""Similarly, we would ask anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area on the night in question to get in touch."
A pen that housed the pheasants was broken into overnight between Friday and Saturday and 230 birds were killed and then removed.A pen that housed the pheasants was broken into overnight between Friday and Saturday and 230 birds were killed and then removed.
A few pheasants managed to escape but were found lying dead under bushes.A few pheasants managed to escape but were found lying dead under bushes.
Police said the birds' injuries, as well as other evidence such as feathers lying around, indicated that the birds had been beaten to death.Police said the birds' injuries, as well as other evidence such as feathers lying around, indicated that the birds had been beaten to death.
Pc Jim McGovern, wildlife crime officer with Lothian and Borders Police, said it had been a "callous and sustained" attack on the birds.
He added that it was not thought the pheasants would be highly toxic if ingested by humans, but one of the birds found at the scene had been sent for analysis at a specialist veterinary laboratory in order to determine the risk.
"It is highly likely that these birds were bludgeoned to death," he said. "My biggest concern is that someone tries to reintroduce them back into the food chain.
"These birds are going to be very heavily bruised. I would urge anyone, particularly those in the pub and restaurant trade, who may be offered a large number of pheasants to contact us."