COLIN BIRCH FROM CLAYTON SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO REPTILES IN MANCHESTER

Colin Birch, a resident of Auden Close in Clayton, Manchester, has been convicted in 2024 of multiple offences related to the mistreatment and neglect of several exotic reptiles. Birch, born around 1956, was found guilty in his absence of two separate incidents involving the poor care of his animals, which took place in his property located in Clayton.

The first incident occurred in February 2022, when concerns about the welfare of reptiles at Birch’s flat prompted a visit from the RSPCA. An officer from the organization, accompanied by police officers, entered the premises after receiving reports that the reptiles might be in distress. Upon inspection, they discovered three iguanas and a spiny-tailed lizard being kept in extremely unsuitable conditions. One of the iguanas was found roaming freely around the cluttered and overheated flat, while the remaining two iguanas and the spiny-tailed lizard were confined within a small fish tank. The tank contained only decayed or dried-up food, and there was no evidence of essential environmental controls such as UV lighting, temperature regulation, or thermometers, all of which are vital for the health and well-being of such reptiles.

Due to these hazardous conditions, the police seized all four reptiles. After veterinary examinations, the animals were deemed to be in poor health and were subsequently placed in the care of a specialist reptile boarding facility to ensure their recovery and proper care.

In June 2022, the RSPCA returned to the same property, which was now unoccupied, to check on five additional iguanas that had been left alone in the flat. This time, the animals were found in a variety of distressing situations: two very young iguanas were discovered inside a pet carrier, an adult iguana was found in a fish tank without access to drinking water, and two more iguanas were roaming freely within the hazardous environment of the flat. Once again, these animals lacked access to UV light, proper food, and clean water, highlighting the ongoing neglect.

All five of these additional reptiles were also confiscated and taken to a specialized facility for their safety and rehabilitation. Experts in exotic pet care reviewed photographs from both incidents and confirmed that the environment within Birch’s flat was fraught with dangers. The tanks used were not appropriately sized for the animals, and the conditions failed to meet the specific temperature and humidity requirements necessary for their survival.

Dan Tomlinson, an RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership, especially for exotic animals. He stated, “Pet reptiles rely on their owners to provide an environment in which their welfare needs are met, which sadly didn’t happen in this case, even after detailed advice was offered to the defendant. The needs of exotics can be challenging to meet by members of the public because the pet animals’ needs are just the same as they would be if they lived in the wild and require conditions that can be difficult to replicate in a home.”

He further advised prospective exotic pet owners to thoroughly research the specific needs of the species they intend to keep, consulting expert sources, and only consider ownership if they are fully capable of providing the necessary environment and care. “Every year, my colleagues and I are called out to rescue many hundreds of exotic pets which have been neglected or abandoned. These are wild animals, and meeting their needs in captivity can be incredibly challenging. We believe that people may buy exotic pets with little idea of how difficult they can be to keep. They often end up in our care after people realize they’re not easy to care for, or once the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home.”

He concluded by warning that exotic pet owners must ensure they have the facilities, time, financial resources, and long-term commitment to meet the animals’ needs, as mandated under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Birch was sentenced to a nine-month community order, which includes 15 days of rehabilitation activity. Additionally, he was fined £100 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95. Furthermore, Birch is banned from owning any animals for five years, with the ban set to expire in February 2029.