Stagecoach probe road kill claim

Apr 16 2010 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TRANSPORT juggernaut Stagecoach has denied claims that a bus driver deliberately mowed down a family of ducks in Almondbank.

The Perth-based company is investigating a local bird fancier’s allegation that a bus driver seemingly accelerated while three mallard ducks were crossing Main Street, killing the female.

Almondbank’s Calum Mcaulay (44) said the resident aquatic birds crossing the street were a familiar sight at the village and that motorists always gave way to the feathered trio.

But at 7.15am on Monday last week while driving to work in Perth, Mr Mcaulay claims he saw a hit and run.

“I was just passing the bowling green and approaching the pub when I saw the ducks emerge from grass and head for the road, so I slowed down,” he said.

“Then I passed the bus coming the other way. The driver had plenty of time to stop, ample time, but he appeared to speed up and then went right over the three of them – hit them square on with his bus.

“I looked in my mirror and saw the female duck flapping around, clearly injured, but the driver just carried on.

“I was shocked, I’m an animal lover and if I wasn’t already late for work I would have gone back.”

When returning home that night, Mr Mcaulay was dismayed to find the lifeless body of the female duck at the scene and next day emailed Stagecoach HQ complaining about the driver’s apparent misconduct.

In an email response – sighted by the PA – Stagecoach operations manager, Gus Beveridge, referred to the incident as “appalling” and apologised on behalf of the company for distress caused to Mr Mcaulay.

He added that the complaint was being investigated and he would respond directly within seven days.

However, when contacted by the PA, Mr Beveridge said: “It was definitely not a deliberate act, it’s under investigation and that’s all I’m prepared to say on it at the moment.”

Tayside Police wildlife crime officer, Alan Stewart, said police would investigate the incident if an official complaint was received and if there was adequate supporting evidence, then charges could be laid.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill or try to kill or injure a wild bird, with a maximum penalty of £10,000 and or a 12-month prison sentence.

He said it was not uncommon for malicious motorists to deliberately hit wild birds, citing a reported incident three years ago where a driver had purposely run over six ducklings that had wandered onto the A85.

“Comparatively speaking, it’s different with a bus as you can’t slam the brakes on as you could with a car,” he said.

An RSPB spokeswoman described the alleged Almondbank incident as “horrible” but declined to comment further.

She said that during the spring period it was common to see mallard ducks in a group comprising a female followed by males, which was called “courtship chasing.”

Mr Mcaulay said he had not seen either male duck in Almondbank since the female’s death.

“They’ve probably gone off looking for another mate, which is very sad as these ducks have been residents in the village for five years,” he said.