Dozens of wild geese have been killed for the Christmas dinner table in a spate of shocking attacks, it is believed.
The bodies of 70 birds were dumped in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire earlier this month – some of which had their breasts removed.
In the first incident 39 pink-footed geese and one pigeon were left on the roadside in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on December 7.
Their necks were tied with blue string and they had been butchered for their breast meat. Another 31 greylag geese were found in a similar condition and reported to the council at Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, on December 15.
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk council environment committee member Sandra Squire said: ‘We don’t know whether they were humanely killed, we don’t know how they were butchered and whether it was hygienic, so we don’t know if they are fit for human consumption.
‘That level of meat is more than just for personal use. It’s definitely organised, and we’re hoping it doesn’t happen again.’
Police in Norfolk said no wildlife offences had been committed because geese can be shot legally.
Meanwhile, residents in Newport, south Wales, have set up a Goose Watch group after five privately-owned geese vanished last week.
Dozens of wild geese have been killed for the Christmas dinner table in a spate of shocking attacks, it is believed
Residents in Newport, south Wales, have set up a Goose Watch group after five privately-owned geese vanished last week
Allan Morris, a councillor from the city’s Liswerry ward, said: ‘Over the past week I’ve been contacted by the owner, and he’s concerned that five of his geese have gone missing and people are taking them for food.
‘They’ve significantly reduced the numbers and it’s no coincidence that Christmas is coming up, times are hard and the geese are getting nicked. But if you want geese for your Christmas dinner, go to a supermarket or butchers,’ he added.
According to the British Poultry Council about 250,000 geese are eaten at Christmas in Britain, a figure dwarfed by the estimated nine million turkeys that share the same fate.
However, goose is widely regarded as the more luxurious option, prized for its richer flavour, with the average bird feeding about six people.
Mr Morris later issued a stern warning in an online post, writing: ‘Seriously, it’s not funny.
‘If you see anyone harassing or trying to capture one of the geese or ducks, please challenge them or ring one of the ward councillors and we will notify the owner.’