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Apr 2022

Last Updated: 06/04/2022

Environment

'Somebody knows something' — Killinghall peacock mystery deepens

by John Plummer

| 06 Apr, 2022

About 10 peacocks are feared to have been killed in Killinghall by a disgruntled villager.

A Killinghall woman has contacted the RSPCA as part of the attempt to solve the mystery of the village's missing peacocks.

A muster of peacocks has roamed the village for years but there are fears about 10 have been killed.

The number of peacocks rose sharply in the last couple of years, prompting some residents to say they were sick of the noise and calling for action.

Just two peahens remain, prompting fears somebody has taken matters into their own hands.

Sarah Leanne Hughes said it was possible the birds had been re-homed by the animal charity, which re-homed Peter the Peacock from Bilton. She added:

"I have spoken to three different people at the RSPCA. I'm just asking for advice to see if they have been reported."

"All I want to know is where the birds have gone. It's the not knowing that's awful. People are starting to point fingers. Somebody's name has been mentioned a couple of times but it's not a witch hunt."

Ms Hughes set up the Killinghall Peacocks Facebook page two years ago to celebrate the peacocks, which used to visit her garden regularly.

She moved to Killinghall from Bilton and whereas sightings of Peter were rare, she saw the Killinghall birds regularly. Her home, on Cautley Drive, is close to the tree where the animals roost.

Ms Hughes said the number of page members had doubled recently amid concern for the peacocks' welfare. She said:

"It's causing a lot of upset in the village. Somebody knows something and they should do the decent thing and say what has happened."

Ms Hughes has asked Killinghall Parish Council to discuss the peacocks at tonight's monthly meeting.

The Stray Ferret has asked the parish council if the matter will be raised and whether it plans to take any further action to investigate the plight of the birds.

Sue Reid, the clerk, said the peacocks were not on the agenda for the monthly meeting at 7pm but the annual parish meeting, which followed at 8pm, was an open forum that gave residents the opportunity to raise any subject they liked.