The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Concerns for Scots wildlife after rise in crime stats
LAW AND ORDER: Attacks on birds and fish poaching most common offences
A rise in reported wildlife crime in Scotland is “disappointing”, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has said.
Police Scotland recorded 236 reports of wildlife crime in 2017-18 – up from 231 in the previous year.
Prior to that, reports of wildlife crime had been falling, after totalling 284 in 2014-15.
The figures, in the latest annual report on wildlife crime, show reports of hunting with dogs almost doubled over 12 months, going from 22 in 2016-17 to 41 in 2017-18.
Fish poaching and attacks on birds were the most common forms of wildlife crime, with 45 of both these types of offences reported to police.
Reported cases of cruelty to wild animals increased from 24 in 2016-17 to 32 in 2017-18, with reports of badger crime going from six to 14 over the same period.
While reports of wildlife crime increased, the number of cases that went to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service fell from 94 in 2016-17 to 67 in 2017-18.
There were 29 people taken to court for wildlife crime offences in 201718, with guilty verdicts in 25 of these cases.
Ms Cunningham said: “After falls in recorded wildlife crimes in recent years, it is disappointing to see a small increase this year.”
She added: “We have already taken action to end to this type of crime, including commissioning a review of golden eagle disappearances, strengthening the resources available to law enforcement and establishing the specialist wildlife and environmental crime prosecution unit.
“It is important we continue to safeguard our wildlife, which is why those who commit the most serious wildlife crimes will face increased penalties through the introduction of the Animals and Wildlife Bill next year.”
Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said:“The new penalties about to be introduced by Scottish Government, including jail sentences up to five years, will be a game changer.
“This takes wildlife crime into the ‘serious crime’ category for the first time ever and Police Scotland has already said this will be enormously helpful.”
Tim Baynes, of Scottish Land and Estates, said they too shared the “Scottish Government’s desire to see the eradication of all wildlife crime, and raptor persecution in particular, and we support the introduction of tougher penalties for those who engage in criminal behaviour”.