NATALIE KERR OF BURY AND GARSIDE HEY ROAD WILDLIFE HOSPITAL SHOCKING BIRD ABUSE REVELATION

In a disturbing case that has shocked animal welfare advocates and the local community, Natalie Kerr, a wildlife sanctuary owner based in Bury, was found guilty of allowing numerous birds to suffer neglect and injury at her facility. Kerr, born around 1960 and residing on Barlow Close, Bury BL9 6WF, was subject to a court ruling that imposed severe penalties for her actions.

The investigation was initiated after authorities received a credible tip-off, prompting RSPCA officials to conduct a thorough raid on the Greenmount Wild Bird Hospital, situated on Garside Hey Road in the area of Brandlesholme, Bury. The inspection uncovered a grim scene: a large number of birds, including pigeons, corvids, blackbirds, an eagle owl, swans, and geese, were confined within aviaries scattered across the grounds. The total count of birds on the premises reached an alarming 211, with a distressing 145 of these animals being so severely injured or ill that they had to be euthanized to end their suffering.

Inspectors reported that many of the birds exhibited clear signs of neglect, such as broken wings, blindness, open wounds, and other injuries. The conditions within the aviaries were described as deplorable, with the environment being dirty, filled with bird droppings, cobwebs, and a pervasive foul smell. Some of the enclosures contained birds that appeared unable to fly, with feathers in disarray, and many were found on the ground, indicating a lack of proper care and attention.

During the raid in July 2019, RSPCA inspectors, led by Emma Dingley, observed that the wooden building used as the hospital unit was also in a poor state, housing additional birds in distress. The situation was so dire that a mobile veterinary unit from the Greater Manchester Animal Hospital had to be dispatched to assess and treat the animals on-site. The inspector detailed the appalling conditions, noting that some birds had head tilts, bandages or tape on their wings, open wounds exposing internal tissues, glassy eyes suggesting blindness, and drooping wings. Many of the birds suffered from chronic or severe injuries or diseases that could not be treated without further compromising their welfare, rendering them unsuitable for release into the wild or for long-term captivity.

One particularly heartbreaking case involved a pigeon with a deformed beak, which prevented it from feeding properly; this bird was named Beaky by the hospital staff and was found emaciated. Another bird, a duck named Wingie, had two broken wings, and a pigeon was discovered with an open wound so severe that the heart was visible. The vet involved in the case concluded that many of these birds had to be euthanized to alleviate their suffering. Despite the widespread neglect, some birds were rescued and rehabilitated. Notably, a European Eagle owl, blind and in need of specialized care, was rehomed with a dedicated keeper and is reported to be thriving.

In October 2020, Natalie Kerr appeared in court to admit guilt to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to two specific birds and neglecting the care of others. The court sentenced her to a four-month curfew, ordered her to pay £1,000 in court costs, and imposed a lifelong ban on her keeping birds. The case has drawn significant attention to the importance of animal welfare and the responsibilities of wildlife sanctuary operators in ensuring proper care and humane treatment of the animals in their charge.