THE RSPCA is asking the owner of the Old Post Office in King Street, Carmarthen, to come forward and remove hazardous netting from the property.
Netting placed over the old Crown Post Office in King Street, Carmarthen, has been responsible for the deaths of pigeons, whose bodies were recovered from the site by representatives of the RSPCA and Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service on Monday (May 13).
The building is owned by EMC Developments Ltd of Bronwydd.
Animal welfare bodies were notified of the birds’ corpses tangled in the netting over last weekend after images posted online caused alarm and distress.
The presence of the birds rotting trapped above a thoroughfare into the town and in view of visitors and shoppers caused a particular outcry.
When Herald photographer Darren Harries arrived at the scene, he found a recovery operation underway with a rescue vehicle and RSPCA Inspector.
The use of netting to prevent birds nesting allows developers to get around the law that prevents the removal and damage of birds’ nests, and avoid delays to development caused by the nesting season.
Bird deterrent netting can be an effective means of keeping birds off structures as it can prevent problems without needing to resort to other measures such as killing birds.
However, it’s vitally important that any netting is properly installed and maintained.
Problems arise when netting is incorrectly installed or when it becomes damaged and is not repaired, leaving gaps where birds are able to enter and become trapped. If the netting is not checked or maintained, there is a risk that birds may suffer and die from injury or starvation.
A spokesperson from the RSPCA told The Herald: “RSPCA Cymru worked with a crew from Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service after three feral pigeons were trapped in netting on the side of the old post office building on King Street in Carmarthen.
“Sadly only one bird was alive, with the other two appearing to have been dead for some time. This pigeon had some feather damage and was hungry and has been taken to a wildlife centre for rehabilitation with the aim of being released back into the wild once fit and ready.
“This property is currently empty but enquiries have been made to contact the owners of the building to ensure this netting is closely monitored and repaired as there is a breach at the top. When bird-deterrent netting is put up incorrectly or becomes damaged, it can leave gaps where birds can enter and become trapped.
“RSPCA Cymru continues to highlight the importance of regularly maintaining bird-deterrent netting to protect birds from getting caught or entangled.
“We would very much like to thank the fire service for their assistance.”
The RSPCA advises that if a bird becomes trapped behind netting, the owner of the building where the netting is situated should be informed (if assistance is needed to free a bird, call the RSPCA’s helpline 0300 1234 999).
The owner should then contact whoever erected the netting (usually a pest control company) as it is their responsibility to ensure that the netting is fit for purpose and appropriate in that location.
The RSPCA recommends that anyone with netting installed on their property sets up a system to check regularly for trapped birds and to ensure any netting is in good repair.
All wild birds, including pigeons and gulls, and their nests are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.
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