PAUL ROSE OF BARROW-IN-FURNESS OWL SANCTUARY SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO BIRDS

Paul Rose, a resident of Barrow-in-Furness, has been found guilty of neglecting the animals under his care at The Owl Sanctuary, which he founded. Born on January 5, 1953, Rose, who holds an MBE, faced serious charges related to the mistreatment of birds, specifically owls, in his care on Foxfield Road, Walney.

On the day of his trial, Rose pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals and one count of failing to ensure proper animal welfare. These charges are in violation of Sections 4 and 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The case was brought to court after investigations by authorities revealed the poor conditions in which the birds were kept.

Prosecutor Joel Wootton detailed that on March 8, 2022, officers from Cumbria Police and the RSPCA conducted inspections at two of the charity’s aviaries. During these inspections, a total of twenty-six owls were seized from a storage unit located on Brady’s Yard. The birds were found crammed into small, cluttered cages within an aviary that lacked windows, severely restricting their ability to open their wings or move freely. The conditions were described as cramped and unsanitary, with the owls suffering from a lack of space and proper ventilation.

In addition to the owls seized from the storage unit, five more were taken from Rose’s property on Foxfield Road, Walney. Among these, two owls were euthanized within 48 hours due to severe neurological issues that left them unable to stand or function properly. One barn owl was discovered to have a fractured wing, and another owl was later euthanized while in the care of the RSPCA. An inspector from the RSPCA commented that all the owls showed signs of suffering to some degree, highlighting the severity of their conditions.

One of the owls, named Ludo, was specifically mentioned as having suffered neurological damage and was euthanized. Rose also admitted to displaying Ludo, an amber-listed tawny owl, for commercial purposes without possessing the necessary Article 10 certificate. The court heard that Rose had applied for an exhibition license in 2020 to show his owls at local schools and events, but this license was subsequently revoked.

During the proceedings, it was acknowledged that Rose’s intentions were not malicious. The court was told that he cared for his birds and that his actions were influenced by overwhelming demand, his poor health, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The defense argued that Rose had not acted out of cruelty but had been overwhelmed by circumstances. It was also noted that he had previously sought veterinary advice for some of his birds, including two owls that were destroyed two years prior to the current case. Rose’s history included a caution in 2011 for failing to apply for an Article 10 certificate, but otherwise, he was considered a man of good character, having served as an RAF reservist and being awarded an MBE in 2002 for his services to the defense industry.

Judge Katie Jones sentenced Rose to a 20-week prison term, suspended for two years, along with a one-month curfew. Rose was also disqualified from owning or keeping any birds for five years, a measure intended to allow him time to engage in educational work and reflect on his actions. Additionally, he was prohibited from controlling or influencing the way birds are kept in the future.

In October 2022, concerns about the management of funds at The Owl Sanctuary led to an investigation by the Charities Commission, especially regarding a legacy of £225,000 and other financial resources. The BBC conducted its own inquiry into the charity’s affairs, raising questions about the expenditure and oversight of the funds. The case underscores the importance of proper animal welfare standards and the accountability of organizations involved in wildlife rescue and conservation.