SCHOOL YARD POISON ALERT

A PRIMARY school was at the centre of a poison alert on Monday morning after a pigeon was cruelly coated in toxic chemicals in a bid to kill a bird of prey.

The drama unfolded around 8.30am in the Corkey area and it is understood the intention of a cruel thug was to use the pigeon as a live sacrifice after it was tied to a stake in the ground.

But the pigeon was able to break free of its shackles and fly off.

Police were concerned that a member of the public may have ingested a fatal dose of the poison if they had even touched the pigeon if it had it landed on the ground.

And as such St Anne's Primary School at Corkey was contacted by the PSNI who were keen to ensure a local child did not get poisoned.

Principal at the school, Carmel McKeown, told the Times they wished to thank the police for thinking of the safety of their children and she said staff were on alert to make sure the pigeon did not land in or near the school playground.

In the event the poison-covered bird was located by police and other agencies in the area of a quarry and the emergency ended around 1pm.

Because of the poison a decision was taken to humanely destroy the bird and St Anne's were informed the danger was over.

Police had been considering putting out a media appeal on the matter to warn the public of the potential for harm should they see the pigeon but when the bird was spotted that did not have to happen.

Carmel McKeown said: "The incident was dealt with very effectively by the police. I received a message at 9am and staff were alerted. We were kept well informed by the police and they rang back when it all ended."

But just why would someone want to poison a bird of prey?

A source said some 'rogue elements' who support pigeon racing try to kill birds of prey which are known to kill prized racing bird.

One theory is that was the motive for the sick 'live sacrifice' bid at Corkey which is home to a population of Peregrine Falcons and Sparrowhawks.

Sergeant Clive Elliott of Ballymoney PSNI told the Times: "We received a call that a pigeon was believed to have been used as a lure for birds of prey in the Corkey area.

"The pigeon was alive and tethered via a stake in the ground and poison was put on the pigeon. The intention of whoever was behind this was for it then to become the bait for Sparrowhawks or Peregrine Falcons or other protected species and they would subsequently be poisoned and killed.

"But on this occasion the pigeon flew off. The pigeon was seen flying with the stake and tether on its leg. We consulted with our Wildlife Liaison Officer and local bird experts and the pigeon was traced to an area in Corkey.

"Because of the poison the pigeon was identified as harmful to both wildlife and humans and in view of that the pigeon was humanely destroyed.

"The carcass was forensically examined.

"At the start of the operation as a matter of public safety a local school was informed in case the bird flew into the playground and children came into contact with it and we would like to thank the school for their co-operation," said Sergeant Elliott.

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