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Crime

10th Nov 2022

Manhunt after mobility scooter rider runs down pigeon outside ‘pigeon-positive’ vegan shop

Steve Hopkins

The man later finished the bird off with his walking stick

A manhunt is underway to find a mobility scooter rider who appeared to “swerve” to run over a pigeon outside a self-proclaimed “pigeon-positive” vegan shop.

The man then finished the bird off with his walking stick.

Bird lovers from a wildlife group called Peck Savers are trying to trace the man and have released footage of the incident that took place in Norwich, Norfolk, on 7 November. They have also reported it to police.

The footage shows an elderly, grey-bearded man driving along a footpath when the wheel of his scooter flattens the unsuspecting bird. Feathers appear behind his back wheel as he turns around to check the damage.

Other footage, not shared, shows that the bird miraculously survives the attack but was finished off when the un-named man got out of his scooter and crushed it with a walking stick.

Since the clip was shared on the “Peck Savers” Facebook group, Norwich city residents have been trying to hunt down the man who hurt the innocent bird.

https://www.facebook.com/Pecksavers/videos/5804140456317923/

According to the Peck Savers Facebook page, “members of the public have given us the same name, which we have sent to the Police”.

The post continued: “They have logged this as an offence of killing a wild bird, under the wildlife and countryside act. What happens next, we don’t know but will update you further as soon as we do! Thank you to everyone who commented and shared, it’s because of you he was identified and can now explain what happened to the Police.”

The footage was taken at 10:34 by the shop’s camera on St Gregory’s Alley. The shop Tofurei ironically displays a pigeon mural on the shop front.

The shop owner Jenny Coupland also runs the Facebook page Peck Savers, described as a “pro-active pigeon page”.

The initial Facebook post read: “Deliberate or not? Please share! We are trying to find out who this man is to help the police with their enquiries.

“He seemed to swerve to hit a pigeon who was resting on the pavement… So if anyone knows who he is, or if you witnessed this, please let us know so we can forward the info.

“Or indeed, if the man is innocent and has an explanation for his behaviour, that too can also be sorted out with the Police.”

Norfolk Constabulary said: “Police have received a report following an allegation from the member of the public that a motorised scooter has deliberately hit a pigeon. “Enquiries are currently ongoing.”

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