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| Hertfordshire escaped rhea: Threat to kill 'issued' | Hertfordshire escaped rhea: Threat to kill 'issued' |
| (2 days later) | |
| People trying to find an escaped 6ft-tall bird capable of running at 40mph say there has been a threat to kill it. | People trying to find an escaped 6ft-tall bird capable of running at 40mph say there has been a threat to kill it. |
| Rita the rhea disappeared from Jo Clark's smallholding close to the Essex/Hertfordshire border, last month. | |
| It has been spotted in nearby Anstey and at Barkway Park Golf Club, but keeps disappearing. | It has been spotted in nearby Anstey and at Barkway Park Golf Club, but keeps disappearing. |
| Searcher Jane Garne said someone rang to say they would shoot it, although Rita's owner said the South American bird was not dangerous. | Searcher Jane Garne said someone rang to say they would shoot it, although Rita's owner said the South American bird was not dangerous. |
| The RSPCA said: "Rheas are large birds and have the potential to be dangerous as they are strong, fast and have sharp claws. | The RSPCA said: "Rheas are large birds and have the potential to be dangerous as they are strong, fast and have sharp claws. |
| "Our advice to the general public is keep well away and call us or the police on 101 if they see the bird." | "Our advice to the general public is keep well away and call us or the police on 101 if they see the bird." |
| 'Upsetting threat' | 'Upsetting threat' |
| Ms Garner said: "I have unfortunately had a call and the person told me they had a firearms licence and that he was going to shoot it. | Ms Garner said: "I have unfortunately had a call and the person told me they had a firearms licence and that he was going to shoot it. |
| "I implored him not to - it's doing no harm and there are lots of people badly trying to find a way to catch it." | "I implored him not to - it's doing no harm and there are lots of people badly trying to find a way to catch it." |
| The rhea, which is similar to an ostrich, is six years old and normally lives with three other rheas on its owner's land at Starling's Green. | |
| "It's upsetting to hear someone say they'd shoot it," Ms Clark said. | "It's upsetting to hear someone say they'd shoot it," Ms Clark said. |
| "It's gone silly, but it's a large chicken and it isn't going to hurt anybody, I promise you. | "It's gone silly, but it's a large chicken and it isn't going to hurt anybody, I promise you. |
| "It's been hand-reared and they don't kick, they don't bite and she'll just run away from anyone." | "It's been hand-reared and they don't kick, they don't bite and she'll just run away from anyone." |
| Charmaine Lake, who spotted Rita on the golf course, said she did not feel threatened by the bird. | Charmaine Lake, who spotted Rita on the golf course, said she did not feel threatened by the bird. |
| "She didn't seem like she was going to come charging at me, so I was quite happy," she said. | "She didn't seem like she was going to come charging at me, so I was quite happy," she said. |