Cruelty to hawks shocks SPCA

Christine McKay shows the paint covering the feathers of the dead hawk. Photo / APN

Cruel and disgusting. That is the consensus in Dannevirke after the death of two hawks that had been trapped and painted, then released to die.

A red painted hawk, found dead on Weber St, was dropped off at the Dannevirke News offices on Monday afternoon.

"I think it's pretty disgusting," SPCA national chief inspector Charles Cadwallader said. "What is wrong with people down there?"

He said builders' spray paint had been used on the hawks and the birds were believed to have been trapped using a possum-baited gin trap. The traps were illegal and painting the birds came under two of the most serious sections of the Animal Welfare Acts.

"I would love to get the information and evidence to see somebody and talk to them about it more robustly. I would push hard to take that person to court."

Dannevirke SPCA manager Jacqui Perry said they had not been informed about the bird until the local paper contacted them. Sightings of red hawks in the area started about 18 months ago but there was some debate about whether it was a painted hawk, a kaka or a hawk that had an unusual natural pigment.

Mr Cadwallader said the SPCA would go "hell for leather with a prosecution" if the culprit could be found. The paint would have a terrible effect on the birds, he said, as it could contaminate the hawk's eyes and mouth and would stop feathers growing.

Dannevirke resident Bruce McLean, who brought the bird in, saw the red bird on the roadside.

"I had seen the bird alive a few times and wondered whether it was a hoax. An article in the paper suggested hawks sometimes turned red."

Hawks were often hit by cars while eating roadkill, he said, but there was no visible roadkill nearby. Another dead painted bird was reported near Aerodrome Rd.

The amount of planning that went into the attack on the hawks shocked most people.

Donna Johnstone, whose family found painted feathers on Anzac Day, said it was terrible that someone had caught the hawk and put it through so much stress.

Anyone with information about the hawks could contact the SPCA on 0800 362 468.