Pheasant farmer accuses animal rights activists of killing her chicks

Animal rights activists have been accused of killing hundreds of baby pheasants after sabotaging a farm and releasing 20,000 of the birds.

Eloise McDonald, 23, discovered hundreds of dead chicks at her family’s farm near Pembury, Kent, after gas pipes used to keep them warm were cut and water dispensers destroyed. 

Others were killed by foxes or died in the wild after their enclosures were ripped open by the activists. 

The farm is run by her cousin Andrew Farris and his father and they fear they have lose around 3,000 birds, which they provide for local game shoots.

A game bird farm in Kent has lost around 3,000 pheasants after suspected animal rights activists raided their enclosures, pictured, and set them free

A game bird farm in Kent has lost around 3,000 pheasants after suspected animal rights activists raided their enclosures and set them free

A game bird farm in Kent has lost around 3,000 pheasants after suspected animal rights activists raided their enclosures and set them free

Eloise McDonald, 23, works on the farm, which is run by her cousin Andrew Ferris

Ms McDonald said she was devastated to find the bodies of the birds

Eloise McDonald, 23, who works on the farm with her cousin Andrew Farris, said she was devastated to find the bodies of the baby pheasants

Gas pipes that provided heating to the baby birds were also cut while water dispensers were damaged in action that the Animal Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for anonymously

Gas pipes that provided heating to the baby birds were also cut while water dispensers were damaged in action that the Animal Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for anonymously

It comes as Tim Bonner, chief executive of the countryside alliance, has written to Home Secretary Priti Patel asking for animal rights extremism to be included in work to counter general extremist threats.

Writing on Facebook, Miss McDonald said ‘Some lowlife scumbag so-called “animal lovers” let out 20,000 of my birds, cut all the fencing, cut gas pipes, hundreds of week-old birds dead, gasping for water and starving!’

Speaking to hunting channel Fieldsports, she added: ‘I was devastated. I nearly shed a tear. 

‘All the hard work that goes into this, the long hours and the sleepless nights, it’s a hell of a lot of work for someone to ruin in one night.’

Kent Police are investigating the vandalism but no arrests have been made yet.

Mr Farris said the family were helped by around 15 friends and volunteers who helped find and return around 80 per cent of their birds.

He added many of those that died were killed by foxes and that another incident in the future would risk their business.

Speaking to Fieldsports, he added: ‘We feel violated that some people have come during the night and smashed up everything that we’ve got.

Mr Farris said some of the birds were killed by foxes after escaping and that the farm could not survive another incident

Mr Farris said some of the birds were killed by foxes after escaping and that the farm could not survive another incident

The farmer added with the help of volunteers they were able to find and return around 80 per cent of the birds freed

The farmer added with the help of volunteers they were able to find and return around 80 per cent of the birds freed 

‘My grandma is struggling to sleep at the minute because she is so worried and my dad is living on the rearing field because he is so worried they might come back.

‘If we lose that amount of birds again, that would be us done.’ 

Mr Bonner said: ‘The recent attacks on game farms are typical of animal rights extremists – violent, callous and staggeringly cruel.

‘They should be treated as any other criminal extremist group.’ 

Members of the Animal Liberation Front have claimed responsibility anonymously via its website, although it has not been confirmed by officials.

In a post on the site, they said: ‘We used tin snips to cut through a couple of panels on each pen whilst leaving the frames intact, as the plastic netting would fall on the birds leaving them trapped at the mercy of the gamekeeper. 

‘We then opened the shed doors and cut through the plastic walls to make as much space as possible for the pheasants to run away. 

On the Animal Liberation Front's website, an anonymous post said they took the action to try to 'end the shooting season before it starts' adding they want the farm, pictured, to be forced to close

On the Animal Liberation Front’s website, an anonymous post said they took the action to try to ‘end the shooting season before it starts’ adding they want the farm, pictured, to be forced to close

‘Finally, we walked in a single line to the back of the pen, and making a straight row from the back, we herded the birds slowly to the cut panels. 

‘They didn’t hesitate and started flying as soon as they were away from the pens. 

‘We then decided to trash the feeders, put the grain away from the pens and in the woods to make them forage for their food.’

The post added: ‘We hope that that farm doesn’t manage to stay open and that the shooting season is over for them before it starts. 

‘We also hope that people feel inspired, tool up and destroy as many game farms as they can, giving a chance to the birds to experience freedom whilst causing huge financial loses to scum with shotguns.

‘Until all are free. ALF.’ 

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: ‘Kent Police was called after damage was caused to enclosures and gas tanks between 8pm on 8 July and 6.15am on 9 July 2019. 

‘It is understood a number of pheasants were also released from enclosures at the premises.

‘There have been no arrests at this stage and officers are appealing for anyone with information to call the appeal line on 01622 604100 quoting crime reference 46/132523/19. 

‘Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.’

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