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We ran a falconry centre that was given a short time to leave a country park in Scotland. We had been there for 12 years, a group called Afrikat were called in by the owner of the park, making threats, bigging themselves up, stating they worked with DEFRA and APHA. Both have never heard of them. Couldn't spell, paper work was written like a five-year-old, no working phone office numbers, email to one person, no internet footprint, no proper address, web page disappeared for weeks, not on any company or charity listings. We found out they push falconers off their birds, give the finder or suggester a finders fee, take the birds and sell them on. So run if they come near you. So went to sell birds to get them off-site before time limit ran out, within an hour we were blocked access to our £45,000 worth of birds and £20,000 worth of equipment. We were blocked with threat of being arrested if we set foot on or near our birds. After many calls to the police, APHA and DEFRA to see who had the birds, we get told by Afrikat that an agency is now dealing with it and the birds are seized. No papers, no contact, nothing. I rang the SSPCA, they took a week to get back to me. I called the police and stated birds and equipment were stolen and our access was blocked to the care of our birds. We then get a phone call from the SPCA stating the birds were healthy, but aviaries dirty. We had no access, and been told by Afrikat not to clean the aviaries as they were going to be bulldozed anyway. We had buyers for all the birds. But were blocked access on the 11th, which was four days short of what was the end lease date.
The SSPCA came in on 15th, so Afrikat could have done anything. Then we get a phone call from an SSPCA inspector, Suggesting she comes to our house to discuss the birds. No ID was shown, no documents were shown, no warrant produced. They walked in, opened cupboards and doors, told us if I didn't sign over the birds to them we would be charged. I taken into the street to be interviewed, so I was away from my carer (I suffer from PTSD). I wold I wasn't allowed to record the interview, the interview was not read back to me, still no papers given to me to show what was taken or as to why. Nothing was written about the birds needs as some are rescues and have special needs. A week later they are kicking in my 84 year old blind mother in laws door, with a warrant and police. We still are not been given any paperwork as to what has happened. They took a few birds we had there, and mother-in-law's cat! They then went to our house and destroyed the lock, and took a few tiny birds we had there. These birds were in travel boxes, as they seized all my perches and any way to clean the boxes or even change the boxes. They then reported us to our landlord, claiming our house was full of birds (which it wasn't), who are now starting proceedings to evict us (My husband has serious lung issues and is attached to oxygen machines 24/7, he is also allergic to birds! Still no papers being given. We weren't given a copy of the warrant or any other paper work, I was told that they are charging me with neglecting the birds at the centre (remember we have had no access to them for two months). They are now stating that our birds are on deaths door and some need euthanised, within a week of them having them. Remember, they told us a week ago that they had all been examined by a vet and were in perfect health.
We have been told by other falconers, who are being offered our birds, who are far from death's door, that one of the inspectors who has been nothing but be aggressive towards us, has previous of taking bribes. 20 police officers, 6 vehicles, and guys in hazmat suits outside my door, shows the level of threat to two disabled people . Told I wasn't allowed to video the interview, but they were allowed to video in my house. We told them we were moving, so going room by room to clear out the house . What does the fact I have bags of rubbish out on my lawn, and boxes being stacked in one room, ready to be moved, got to do with the SSPCA? I'm totally disgusted by the whole thing. The head inspector actually picked up a notebook I write in and started reading it. When my husband asked what he was doing, he answered, "I'll know when I find it." What's that got to do with the SSPCA? The Bird's aviaries were being cleaned every weekend when the estate owner's wife wasn't attacking us for being on her mud! Access was blocked by owner so many times it was a joke. I need a good solicitor, and housing lawyer. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
The SSPCA came in on 15th, so Afrikat could have done anything. Then we get a phone call from an SSPCA inspector, Suggesting she comes to our house to discuss the birds. No ID was shown, no documents were shown, no warrant produced. They walked in, opened cupboards and doors, told us if I didn't sign over the birds to them we would be charged. I taken into the street to be interviewed, so I was away from my carer (I suffer from PTSD). I wold I wasn't allowed to record the interview, the interview was not read back to me, still no papers given to me to show what was taken or as to why. Nothing was written about the birds needs as some are rescues and have special needs. A week later they are kicking in my 84 year old blind mother in laws door, with a warrant and police. We still are not been given any paperwork as to what has happened. They took a few birds we had there, and mother-in-law's cat! They then went to our house and destroyed the lock, and took a few tiny birds we had there. These birds were in travel boxes, as they seized all my perches and any way to clean the boxes or even change the boxes. They then reported us to our landlord, claiming our house was full of birds (which it wasn't), who are now starting proceedings to evict us (My husband has serious lung issues and is attached to oxygen machines 24/7, he is also allergic to birds! Still no papers being given. We weren't given a copy of the warrant or any other paper work, I was told that they are charging me with neglecting the birds at the centre (remember we have had no access to them for two months). They are now stating that our birds are on deaths door and some need euthanised, within a week of them having them. Remember, they told us a week ago that they had all been examined by a vet and were in perfect health.
We have been told by other falconers, who are being offered our birds, who are far from death's door, that one of the inspectors who has been nothing but be aggressive towards us, has previous of taking bribes. 20 police officers, 6 vehicles, and guys in hazmat suits outside my door, shows the level of threat to two disabled people . Told I wasn't allowed to video the interview, but they were allowed to video in my house. We told them we were moving, so going room by room to clear out the house . What does the fact I have bags of rubbish out on my lawn, and boxes being stacked in one room, ready to be moved, got to do with the SSPCA? I'm totally disgusted by the whole thing. The head inspector actually picked up a notebook I write in and started reading it. When my husband asked what he was doing, he answered, "I'll know when I find it." What's that got to do with the SSPCA? The Bird's aviaries were being cleaned every weekend when the estate owner's wife wasn't attacking us for being on her mud! Access was blocked by owner so many times it was a joke. I need a good solicitor, and housing lawyer. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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