Hawk and Owl Trust condemns actions of rogue handler

The director of the Hawk and Owl Trust is "extremely concerned" following an incident outside the Forum, which saw Bedfordshire man Simon Smith moved on by police. 

His presence in the city was met with concern from Norwich-based Evie's Owls, who claimed he was displaying his birds improperly and without the correct paperwork. 

Simon Smith had owls tied to perches in front of the market without the council's permission (Image: Google) Adrian Blumfield, operations director at the trust, said: "We are extremely concerned to learn that an animal handler in Norwich, providing public displays of owls and other wild birds, is claiming to be operating with our blessing.

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"We fundamentally have strong reservations about the ethics of unlicensed public bird display businesses. We are concerned that bird welfare may be compromised in the name of entertainment, or raising funds under false pretences."

Adrian Blumfield, operations director at the Hawk and Owl Trust (Image: Sculthorpe Hawk and Owl Trust) Simon Smith, of Owls and About, was said to be accepting donations via a bucket and did not have suitable enclosures for his owls, prompting safety fears. 

But Mr Smith defended himself by saying the birds were well looked after and that he was registered with the trust - a claim strongly refuted by the charity. 

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"Simon Smith from Owls and About is not a member or affiliated with us in any way.

"Any claims that we have authorised his business or assessed the welfare of his birds are categorically untrue."

Evie's Owls expressed their scepticism when Owls and About turned up (Image: Ella Wilkinson) After a visit from the police, Simon was moved on. He later admitted he had not taken the necessary precautions in displaying the predators. 

Mr Blumfield added: "We do not have any formal or legal mandate as an organisation to register captive birds, however, a statutory licencing regime is operated by local councils and enforced by Trading Standards. 

"We urge all members of the public to report bird displays to them where evidence of a valid licence is not provided."