Pet owner's fury as birds savaged

AN animal lover has been left devastated today after two rottweilers savaged his pet ducks.

Harold Butcher, 70, of Whitton Church Lane in Ipswich, said he was shocked and dismayed by the loss of his ducks, as well as his next door neighbour's rabbit.

The grandfather was woken at about in the early hours when the dogs burst into his garden and attacked the small animals.

Three of Mr Butcher's four ducks were killed straight away and the final one needed to be put down by vets because it was so badly injured.

Suffolk police attended the scene but confirmed there was no action that could be taken because animal-on-animal attacks were not a recordable offence.

Mr Butcher said: “I was woken up by my neighbour saying there were two rottweilers in my garden.

“They killed three of my ducks and one of their rabbits.

“They just came in, killed them, and left them. The ducks didn't stand a chance. They were happy in the garden, then they were dead.

“The cops can't do much, if someone was hurt they could.

“But the dogs must weigh more than me. They are dangerous and I wish something could be done about it.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: “Police did attend but due to legislation there is no further action that can be taken.

“The owners have been identified and will be spoken to by a safer neighbourhood team officer, and suitable advice given.”

A neighbour who owns rottweilers said his animals had not been involved in the incident, but there were a number of similar dogs in the area.

He said police had tried to make contact - and although he tried to call them back, he had not yet had any reply.

Should people whose pets kill other animals face criminal action? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.