One of Scotland’s most prestigious shooting estates was described as a “wildlife sink” where wild animals are routinely slaughtered.
An ecologist appointed by prosecutors in the case against sadistic Rhys Davies said wild animals like foxes, badgers and other species would be naturally drawn to the Millden Estate – but would have little chance of surviving.
Davies was jailed for eight months at Forfar Sheriff Court yesterday, where he was also slapped with a 15 year ban on keeping animals.
The court heard that Davies was a gamekeeper for Millden Estate, using his position to network among badger baiters and to train dogs for animal fights. His job included protecting grouse stocks from predators.
Sheriff Derek Reekie was shocked at photographic evidence that showed Davies was part of an organised gang, whose passion was setting dogs on badgers and foxes, which also put their dogs in huge danger.
Ecologist Andy Riches provided an expert report prior to the appearance of Davies at Forfar Sheriff Court, which painted a grim picture of Millden’s land management during Davies’ time there.
The mammal expert wrote: “The result of this management for driven grouse shooting is that the habitat is rendered unsuitable and extremely hazardous, if not lethal, for much of the wildlife that might otherwise live there.
“The ecology of this area of land has been driven out of balance by its management.
“Because much of the neighbouring land (including the Cairngorms National Park) is wildlife rich, this estate acts as a ‘wildlife sink’.
“Population pressure and natural inquisitiveness encourages wildlife to try to explore this area. Those that make it in will rarely leave alive. Land mammals are mostly either successfully excluded by fencing or killed by trapping or shooting.
“Birds are the only group that can regularly successfully cross the fencing. I can best describe this estate as a zoo with three compounds. Each one is excellently managed for the species it was intended to contain, but to the total exclusion of everything else.”
It is legal to shoot animals for pest control – but animal fighting in any form is a criminal offence.
There is no suggestion that Millden Estate had involvement in any criminal activity.
Robbie Marsland, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said:“The case of Rhys Davies is utterly appalling but if any positives can be drawn from it, it’s the scrutiny this estate and others will now be under, making the Scottish Government’s proposed licensing of grouse moors even more timely and necessary.”
A spokesman for Millden Estate said: “The estate does not condone or tolerate any illegal activity relating to the welfare of animals or wildlife.
“We were shocked to learn of all the allegations when they came to light.
“The employee involved was suspended by the estate with immediate effect and resigned a few days later when the police investigation was still at an early stage.
At no stage was the estate itself the focus of the investigation. These offences did not take place on the estate but happened at locations some distance away and unconnected to the estate.“
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