Holyoc Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 Hi, can anyone help with the delicate problem of shooting tame doves. A neighbour a couple of doors away has a dovecote, the only roof in the whole area they like is mine. I have had to have the roof and gutter professionally cleaned a couple of times and the mess on the ground is awful from 20+ birds. Recently they have been dying and left me in peace. The RSCA called round to see if I was poisoning them but innocent on that score, as a parting shot she did say if they returned and bothered me then shoot them. How do I stand on this? They are causing damage and they are a health hazard which I know allows me to shoot pigeons on my own property but doves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 if you got reported for shooting, you would need to show good reason, so taking pictures of the damage, areas a droppings etc will help, but you really need to show that all other means of keeping the birds away have been exhausted first, as culling is always the LAST OPTION, ie; immatation hawks/predator birds pigeon spikes to the guttering edge bird scarers etc if its the white fancy type dove, its little more than a feral, Id be more inclined, especially as it sounds like you have been reported by the owner before, to make up a large live catch trap, put down a feeding area on a regular basis, this would reduce the amount sitting and crapping on your roof, and catch them live, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 Hi there, I see you've just joined, and I don't know if you shoot already? If you don't then it may be an idea to get a professional in and they can take care of the liability side of things. The reason is that you are absolutely right this is a sensitive issue, and assuming it is in a fairly built up area there are plenty of problems that you could encounter if you start popping off his doves, including pellets leaving your boundary, or if you were to wound one of his doves and it to make it back to his property. I would be very cautious about trusting the advice of the RSPCA officer, as they have led prosecutions against people for doing things not too different from what you are suggesting. I would tend to agree that a live catch trap may be a better solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ste12b Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 You would need to comply with the general licenses as well. It may also be worth speaking to the council as this may come under a nuisance issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olly321 Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 welcome bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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