Weather
Barton hawk stolen 'to silence it', fears owner (From Oxford Mail)
Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting OXFORD NEWS to 80360 or email us
Barton hawk stolen 'to silence it', fears owner
7:00pm Monday 25th January 2010
THIEVES may have stolen a hawk because it made too much noise, its concerned owner fears.
Pip, a five-year-old Harris hawk, was taken from her aviary in Barton, Oxford, on Friday morning after thieves broke open the lock and cut the bird loose from its tether.
Shaun Cadle, of Barton Village Road, said he was distraught by the theft and feared his bird could have been taken because of her “loud squawks”.
He said: “We are all gutted. We have raised Pip since she was a tiny chick.
“Whoever did this is scum.
“She was part of the family and they have just taken her off with no concern for her welfare.
“There are two possible options here. One is that she was stolen to order because birds of prey do remain quite sought after.
“The other is that somebody could have been alerted to her by her squawking, which is quite loud. It may have annoyed someone living nearby.”
The thieves struck sometime between 10am and 11.30am while Mr Cadle’s son, Aiden, 18, was out walking their dog.
Mr Cadle said: “Aiden is more upset than anyone because Pip was essentially his pet.
“We are all very worried about her health because whoever took Pip obviously has no idea how to treat birds of prey.
“All birds like this are attached to a falconry knot, because it means you can handle them more safely and comfortably.
“But when we discovered she had been taken we saw the knot had just been cut, which is very worrying.”
Pip stands about a foot tall and has a three-and-a-half-foot wingspan.
Mr Cadle added: “I have put notices in all the shops around here to highlight what has happened.
“Pip is quite a big bird and makes a lot of noise, so whoever has got her will certainly have a job keeping her quiet.
“I would urge whoever is responsible to please return her safely, and I would ask people in Oxford to keep an ear out.
“If you hear some unusual bird sounds, it could well be Pip.”
Anyone with any information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
More News stories
- Cyclists ride out in memory of Ali
- Hospice plea to helpers in Summertown
- £25k is earmarked for cricket revamp
- UPDATE: Hospital unit criticised over babies' deaths
- Police sweep up problems in Oxford park
- Kai shows head for heights
- Oxford leads way on licensing of homes
- Best wishes for church project
- Couple still in step after 60 years
- Head questions Ofsted report
Your Say YourOxford
BicesterBod, Bicester says...
10:23pm Mon 25 Jan 10
Green123, Witney says...
10:45pm Mon 25 Jan 10
LadyPenelope, West Oxon says...
8:08am Tue 26 Jan 10
Any One, OX1 says...
10:07am Tue 26 Jan 10
LadyPenelope, West Oxon says...
10:53am Tue 26 Jan 10
Any One wrote:Why funny? I used to feed rare/expensive birds for a friend when they were on holiday, and every door was alarmed.
V.funny Lady Penelope
zorba the geek, oxford says...
11:19am Tue 26 Jan 10
Pozzi, Cowley says...
12:09pm Tue 26 Jan 10
I know that when someone tried to steal my families German Shepherd that we were distraught, luckily we got hime back.
People who steal are scum, there are no excuses.
Golum, LOR says...
1:14pm Tue 26 Jan 10
Pozzi wrote:This was a "Pet", By the owners admission it made "made too much noise" and my have been "taken because of her “loud squawks”.
I think everyone is missing the point. Who cares about spelling. The bird was a pet, it states that fact in the article, and it was stolen. Obviously some people that comment on hear just want attention. I know that when someone tried to steal my families German Shepherd that we were distraught, luckily we got hime back. People who steal are scum, there are no excuses.
Sleep deprivation is a terrible thing. It has proberbly gone to the big perch in the sky. Or more likely has been sold.
Surely if people have sort after creatures like this, they would get the A-V-I-A-R-Y sound proofed so as to not to draw attention to it's existence and location?
sundance69, oxford says...
1:22pm Tue 26 Jan 10
anyway, if its the same bird, I hope the theives get hit by a bus
Pozzi, Cowley says...
1:25pm Tue 26 Jan 10
Golum wrote:But if neighbours had a problems with the squawks then they should have confronted the owners. If the owners refuse to do anything then the envronmental agency can be involved. The owners will then be forced to find the animal a suitable home. Again no excuse for stealing, what the situation. People shouldn't have to hide what they own.
Pozzi wrote: I think everyone is missing the point. Who cares about spelling. The bird was a pet, it states that fact in the article, and it was stolen. Obviously some people that comment on hear just want attention. I know that when someone tried to steal my families German Shepherd that we were distraught, luckily we got hime back. People who steal are scum, there are no excuses.This was a "Pet", By the owners admission it made "made too much noise" and my have been "taken because of her “loud squawks”. Sleep deprivation is a terrible thing. It has proberbly gone to the big perch in the sky. Or more likely has been sold. Surely if people have sort after creatures like this, they would get the A-V-I-A-R-Y sound proofed so as to not to draw attention to it's existence and location?
oxfordmale, Cowley says...
1:47pm Tue 26 Jan 10
This is my noise nightmare, that I live every day. Cars drive past and get caught at traffic lights - the music vibrates my conservatory and I think the glass is going to break.
I wonder if the thieves are one and the same - i.e. intolerant of everyone else, but unable to vet their own behaviour.
Really sorry to hear about your pet - if anyone had an issue regarding its noise they should have dealt with it through the proper channels.
kelbun, Oxford says...
5:51pm Tue 26 Jan 10
Either it has been corrected or you lot need glasses!!
Petre Mcvey, Barton says...
2:45am Wed 27 Jan 10
Sophia, Oxford says...
2:30pm Wed 27 Jan 10
Shaun Cadle and his son Aiden by the perch where Pip, their hawk had been tethered
Missing hawk Pip
Stay with Prague Hotels | Visit Spain with Barcelona Hotels
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Lord Palmerston, Weston Turville says...
9:57pm Mon 25 Jan 10