Pet shop counts cost of 100 stolen birds (From Bournemouth Echo)

Pet shop counts cost of 100 stolen birds

8:00am Thursday 19th November 2009 in

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A pet shop owner has had 100 birds worth around £2,000 snatched in the fifth raid on his business in three years.

Danny Brown, owner of Three Oaks Animal Kabin in The Courtyard Centre, Lytchett Minster, says thieves removed part of the roof of an outbuilding which housed his birds, making off with canaries, British finches, diamond doves and diamond sparrows.

He believes the thefts took place some time between 10pm on Sunday night and 9.30am Monday morning.

Mr Brown said: “It’s an ongoing thing. This is the fifth time in three years. The shop was last targeted this March. They didn’t actually get into the shop, they got into an outbuilding where the birds were kept, and prised the roof out.

“They have done quite a bit of damage to the building. We are in a recession and money is tight. That’s birds I’ve paid for that I now can’t sell.

“I have kept and bred birds my entire life. It’s not a job – it’s a life.”

Most of the birds had an identifying ring, he added.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Anyone who hears of birds being offered for sale in unusual circumstances or for an unusually low amount of money should contact police.”

Witnesses and anyone with information are urged to contact Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.