Sponsored by
Morpeth squirrel killer is arrested
A WILDLFIE campaigner who challenged the RSPCA to prosecute him for drowning a grey squirrel has been arrested.
Norris Atthey, 66, was arrested by police at his home in Ulgham yesterday (Wednesday) after refusing to take part in a voluntary interview with an RSPCA inspector.
He was taken into custody for questioning on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
His arrest follows a report in the 'Herald' last week in which Mr Atthey said he had drowned a grey squirrel to show it was a humane method of culling.
He was incensed after reading of the RSPCA's prosecution of Raymond Elliott in Burton last month for drowning a grey in a water butt and said he had acted to challenge the charity, arguing that he could show the killing was humane.
He believes grey squirrels should be killed to protect the native red species.
Speaking just minutes before his arrest on Wednesday, Mr Atthey told the 'Herald' he has no regrets about the drowning and is unconcerned about any action taken against him, revealing that he has recently had a cancer diagnosis.
"I had bowel cancer in 2001 and was given a 30 to 40 percent chance of surviving five years so I see anything in my life after 2006 as a bonus. I have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer so perhaps I see things differently to other people," he said.
"This action doesn't bother me. I think I'm right and I'm going to protect my red squirrels."
Mr Atthey was contacted by the RSPCA on Tuesday and refused to co-operate with their enquiries.
An officer returned to his home on Wednesday morning and Mr Atthey handed over a written statement, but refused to speak to the official.
Assistance was then requested from police to arrest him.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Police were called to assist an RSPCA officer at an address in Ulgham at around 10.45am.
"Officers arrested a 66-year-old man at the address for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Morpeth
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
