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Cruel thugs shoot ducks

Laura Sharpe
11/ 5/2006

YOBS sparked anger this week after shooting dead pet ducks on an allotment.

The owner of the ducks had died while tending his plot.

And his angry daughter has slammed the thugs who have killed a total of 20 ducks since her father died.

The final four were killed by air gun pellets this week and other allotment holders at White Ash, Oswaldtwistle, now fear they will become the next targets.

Margaret Clark, 49, of Dill Hall Lane, Church, said: "My father lived for his allotment and pens and died while having a cup of tea in his shed. The ducks were his life and he used to visit them three times a day.

"Since he died I've taken over the area and have been caring for his ducks and geese, but now all 20 ducks have been killed over the last three months.

"It's been really upsetting because one was wounded so it had to hobble around and another was shot over the fence.

"I'm just scared that the kids who are firing the pellets might one day hit a person instead."

Margaret's father, Keith Gardener, died of a heart attack three years ago aged 66 and since then Margaret has taken over his beloved plot and tried to carry on the family tradition of caring for birds and growing vegetables.

Her brother Howard Clark, 48, has a neighbouring pen but the allotments have been under attack and greenhouses and sheds have also been targeted.

Margaret added: "My father loved his pen so much and had his allotment for donkey's years.

"I feel that now the last duck has been shot a piece of his memory has been lost.

"I've tried to keep it as he had it and even replaced his old shed with a new one on the exact same spot.

"I'm determined to find out who did this and protect my dad's remaining geese."

PC Steve O'Boyle who is investigating the shootings, said: "Any person found with a real or imitation firearm or rifle in a public place will be liable to arrest and prosecution.

"A number of youths have been seen in the area and I want them to know that carrying and using a pellet gun is illegal. This is a particularly horrible cr ime and I would urge anyone with information to come forward and phone 51212."