Animal Charity Accuses Network Rail of Endangering Wildlife and People

Press Release - 16th September 2011

A Surrey-based animal welfare charity has slammed Network Rail for condemning pigeons to a slow and lingering death, and creating a potentially serious health hazard for people, through the irresponsible use of netting under its railway bridges.

The Wildlife Aid Foundation, based in Randalls Road, Leatherhead, gives the example of the railway bridge near Leatherhead Leisure Centre where the charity’s volunteers are frequently called to rescue pigeons caught in the netting underneath the bridge.

The Foundation has reported the situation to Network Rail and is demanding immediate action.

Simon Cowell MBE of the Wildlife Aid Foundation said: “The nets and wire mesh were obviously intended to keep birds out but in fact they do nothing of the kind. What happens is that birds get in through holes or where the netting has not been properly secured, and then find that they cannot get out. Today we found lots of dead and dying pigeons trapped inside the mesh, and there are several decomposing corpses of pigeons lying in filth which is then falling down, bit by bit, onto the footpath. It is horrible. We understand that it is the same with railway bridges throughout Surrey, which makes it potentially a major environmental health problem as well as an animal welfare issue.”

He added: “It looks like Network Rail and its contractors are negligent here in that they have not considered either human health or animal welfare when putting up this netting and wire mesh. What would happen if we built a cage, kept lots of pigeons in it but never fed them or gave them water, and just watched them die one by one? We would be prosecuted – and rightly so. It is disgusting that this is happening.

“I urge people who live near these railway bridges to check out the situation for themselves and if they agree with us on the seriousness of the problem then they should call or write to Network Rail and to their local MP and councillors demanding that something must be done – and immediately, before any more wild animals die.”

The Wildlife Aid Foundation exists to help sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. Its animal rescuers are called out to all kinds of wildlife emergencies. Altogether the charity deals with some 20,000 wildlife incidents per year.

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