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The owner of Caerphilly Bird Rescue has been handed a suspended prison sentence and a lifetime ban from keeping animals after pleading guilty to six animal welfare offences.

Carol Gravenor, 67, of Coed Main, Caerphilly, was charged after 26 birds, including pigeons, blackbirds, crows, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon, and a buzzard, were found in an unsuitable and unhygienic environment.

An RSPCA inspector found the birds with injuries and illnesses which had not been treated properly, including fractured wings and damaged eyes and legs.

Mrs Gravenor appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Thursday January 11, where she was given a 14-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

She was also ordered to pay £300 and a £154 victim surcharge – which goes towards funding victim services.

Illness

Mrs Gravenor started the bird rescue with her late husband Ray Gravenor, who passed away in 2021.

Posting on the Caerphilly Bird Rescue Facebook page, which has more than 100,000 followers, Mrs Gravenor announced last month she had been diagnosed with Psittacosis, also known as pigeon fanciers lung, and that her condition was terminal.

Following her court appearance, she posted to explain how the incident happened while she was in hospital and looking for a new premises after being forced to leave her then-base at Caerphilly Indoor Market.

She said: “The birds were being cared for by volunteers for five or six weeks while I was in hospital and trying to get a premises.

“I had to plead guilty as it was my fault – I should have shut until I was fit and the premises were found, so I am guilty of leaving others in charge.

“As anyone knows, my shop was open to everyone. Vets and vet nurses came bringing birds. I was open to public in the market also and on Facebook.

“Those who know me already know. Thank you to those.”

Mitigating for Mrs Gravenor, her solicitor said her intention was only ever to help birds and animals, and she had tried her best.

He said Mrs Gravenor had been ““overwhelmed” and “swamped” by the situation, and highlighted the impact that losing her husband had on her.

“Poor environment”

A written statement provided to the court by RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said the birds were removed from Caerphilly Bird Rescue on April 11, 2023.

He said he was told by Mrs Gravenor that records were no longer kept for the birds, and that she was unaware of legislation such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Inspector Hogben said more than 20 dead birds were found in a bin at the back of the garden, including a dead buzzard.

Mrs Gravenor’s solicitor said the dead birds in the bin had been collected by Mrs Gravenor from a butcher, who had found the bodies above his shop.

Upon arrival, Inspector Hogben said he first saw a dead pigeon by the back fence and a dead jackdaw floating in a pond.

“There were many empty soiled bird cages piled on top of each other in the garden,” he said.

“In the back garden were several pigeons walking around that looked to have dropped wings along with some domestic ducks, a domestic goose and a chicken that was obviously lame.

“We were invited into the house and on the kitchen table were two fledgling blackbirds and a nestling pigeon.” 

He described seeing a cardboard box in the kitchen holding a jackdaw with an injured eye, while a peregrine falcon with its left eye missing was in the shed.

The inspector described the environment as “poor with no water and a filthy cage which was too small for the falcon to spread its wings”.

He continued: “There was also a jackdaw that was loose in the shed along with two crows in a cage, a single crow in another cage, a pigeon and an eagle owl. 

“The cages had no water and were all soiled, some of the cages had ‘puppy pads’ placed over soiled substrate. There was no separation of predator or prey species.”

RSPCA animal rescue officer Ellie West, who joined Inspector Hogben on the visit, said she had to euthanise birds that were too unwell to be rehabilitated.

The birds were taken to an RSPCA wildlife centre in Somerset, where they were looked at by a vet.

Five pigeons were deemed fit enough to be rehabilitated, but the remaining birds had to be put down on welfare grounds.

“A huge commitment”

Inspector Hogben urged struggling wildlife sanctuary owners to seek help.

He said: “Keeping and rehabilitating wild birds is a huge commitment requiring specialist knowledge, husbandry, equipment and accommodation. 

“While most rescues and sanctuary owners start out with the best intentions, sadly, vulnerable animals entering these establishments can sometimes end up in even worse situations than they were in already, with sanctuary owners ending up in situations not realising the severity of the problems with their establishments until it is too late.

“In this case we appreciate the well-meaning intentions to help rescue and rehabilitate wild birds in need. However, it is always imperative to seek prompt veterinary care.”