Vets 'brought to tears' after 19 birds of prey and owls found trapped in filthy carriers in Greenock

Experienced vets were “brought to tears” after 19 birds of prey and owls were found trapped in filthy carriers with chick remains in Greenock.

Scottish SPCA officers discovered the birds trapped inside dog and cat carriers encrusted with faecal matter in a property in May 2024.

All 19 birds were found with no water provided or space to stretch their wings, as well as carriers that were encrusted with faeces, casts and the remains of chicks.

On Wednesday, Brandon Robert Hodge admitted two charges at Greenock Sheriff Court. He will be sentenced in November.

This article contains images and details some readers may find distressing.

19 birds of prey and owls were found trapped in filthy carriers with chick remains Greenock. SSPCA

“Upon entering the property, it was clear that the conditions of the home were unsanitary: large deposits of rubbish were covering most surfaces and a pungent odour permeated the air,” an SSPCA inspector said.

On the floor, surrounding the carriers the birds were constrained in, was a significant build-up of faecal matter and waste infested by maggots and insects.

“The smell of the room was overpowering, curtains were closed so the room was shrouded in darkness and no fresh water was provided for the birds,” they said.

The inspector said it was one of the “worst cases” they had worked on regarding bird welfare.

All nineteen birds were found with no water provided or space to stretch wings. SSPCA

“The birds were seriously distressed, in an unsanitary and inappropriate environment, being subject to severe mental and physical suffering,” they said.

They added that upon entering the room the birds were being kept within, the team’s experienced vets were “brought to tears”.

One of the animals found included a Northern White-Faced Owl who’s feet were filthy with excrement. It also had a moist, swollen lesion at the top of one foot which was warm to the touch.

Inspectors said it had barely any tail left due to trauma and contamination.

Another included an American Kestrel which had a missing foot, as well as talons caked in faeces.

A Red-tailed Hawk was found in a carrier infested with maggots and beetles. Its feet were so badly contaminated with faeces that it wasn’t possible to visualise or assess the condition.

SSPCA said many of the birds have gone onto new homes across Scotland, ranging from Edinburgh Zoo to the Owl Centre.