A grandfather who loves animals is being sued by the local council for refusing to stop feeding the town's birds.
Brian Wilkins, 76, was given a community protection order last year after local councilors complained that he was feeding birds in an area of Hartlepool, County Durham, which was attracting pests.
Daughter Paula Allison claims her father, known as the Hartlepool Birdman, tried to avoid restricted areas but continued with his favorite activities.
Mr Wilkins' case will go to trial next year after he appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday) and denied failing to comply with a community order imposed by Hartlepool Borough Council (HBC). Become.
His court summons states that he continued to “ignore advice and requests to cease providing food and prey for wildlife,” which led to “persistent attraction of vermin.” .
As a result of his “unreasonable” behavior, the summons claimed he was “significantly impacting on the quality of life” of the people of Hartlepool.
But Paula, 57, said local residents supported her father and did not agree with HBC “targeting” him.
She claims the HBC is trying to blame her father for attracting the rats, but says rats have been around “for years”, partly due to takeaways in town.
Paula said her father buys 30 loaves of bread every morning, cuts them into cubes, and takes them out to feed the birds.
“About a year ago, my father was banned from feeding birds in certain areas,” she said. “He's been to other areas and now he's filing this lawsuit. It's shocking.”
Paula said Mr Wilkins, who previously ran several businesses including a building and skipping company, started feeding Hartlepool's birds after losing six people close to him in quick succession. That's what it means.
She said her father contacted the HBC and told them they had agreed to avoid certain areas of town, including the cenotaph, war memorial, squares and parking lots.
As for why her father felt obligated to feed the birds, Paula added: He is very happy to see them enjoying their meal. ”
“It saddens him that there is less and less green space, food sources are being taken away by human expansion, and food is becoming scarce,” she said. “It's more of a commitment than an enjoyment. The only thing he's using his pension for is bread and seed.”
His daughter added, “He used to work, but now he doesn't have a car.” He is restricted. Now that he is old, he has nothing else to do. He used to go dancing, but now he has withdrawn from society. I don't know how many years he's been doing this. They try to claim that my dad is the cause of the rats, but that's bullshit, rats have been around for years. ”
“A woman came up to us the other day and said, 'The people of Hartlepool support you.' He's not hurting anyone. He's just feeding the animals. I’m just there,” she declared.
Mr Wilkins, appearing on his behalf at the trial in April next year, is expected to argue that there was a “just cause” for breaching the order.
HBC solicitor Sophie Johnston outlined several complaints the council had received about Mr Wilkins from the public, local brewer Camerons Brewery and the manager of a Grade II listed flat.
Mr Johnston told the court: Further complaints have been received since January this year. ”
Asked by District Judge Stephen Hood whether these explanations were correct, Mr Wilkins replied: 'Yes. We do it on a daily basis.
“There [are] There are a lot of hungry wild animals, and people are saying, “Don't feed them.'' ”
Wilkins also serves as president of the Hartlepool Wildlife Feeding Program, adding that rats are a problem that exists in the town.
His daughter Paula branded the HBC's prosecution of her father “ridiculous” and believes authorities should pursue the real culprits instead.
“The amount of money it costs to take a father to court to feed the birds… is just ridiculous,” she claimed. “They should be dealing with criminals. That's insane. My dad might have to pay the legal fees too, and that's disgusting. That's just crazy.”
“He's having fun [feeding the birds]. He has people buy bread and seed. He says he has been struggling with arthritis and has cut back on his routes. His life consists of sleeping and feeding the birds. He says he will continue to do it until he dies, unless prohibited. ”
A GoFundMe page set up to help pay for her father's legal battles likened him to Mr. Dolittle, adding that he “dedicated his life to the welfare of local wildlife.”
To donate, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-bird-man-of-hartlepool.
