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02
Apr 2022
Last Updated: 02/04/2022
Have missing Killinghall peacocks been secretly killed?
There are fears a disgruntled villager may have taken matters into their own hands after concerns about loud screeching and damage to gardens.
One of the Killinghall peacocks.
There are fears that about 10 peacocks have been secretly killed in Killinghall.
A muster of peacocks has roamed the village for years. But the number exploded last year to as many as 16, upsetting some residents with their loud screeching and damage to gardens.
There were calls for the peacocks to be rehomed — but it seems someone may have taken matters into their own hands.
Killinghall Parish Council said in a statement on social media yesterday it was "made aware that there are concerns regarding our resident peacocks".
It added:
"There have been sightings of only four of the birds and people are speculating as to what has become of the rest.
"If action was taken to remove any of the peacocks, the parish council is unaware of this and certainly had no involvement."
Parish council unfairly blamed
Last year, after receiving complaints about peacock anti-social behaviour, the parish council had suggested working with residents to address the problem.
It floated the idea of rehoming and even looked into the possibility of neutering — an idea that was dropped as impractical.
Read more:
- Some Kilinghall peacocks could be re-homed
- Councillor fails in bid to rehome Peter the Peacock on his farm
The parish council said yesterday it hadn't received any further communication from residents since last year.
Nevertheless, its attempts to respond to concerns.have led to some unfair speculation on social media that it was responsible for the missing birds — something it has been keen to clarify that it wasn't.
Speculation is now rife about the fate of the peacocks, with some suspecting a disgruntled villager may be responsible.
There are also fears for the safety of the remaining birds, which tend to roost in a large tree in the new development at the back of Cautley Drive.
Some residents in nearby Bilton were upset last year when its resident peacock, Peter, was rehomed by the RSPCA animal charity after concerns for his welfare. He is believed to be in Lancashire.
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