24/11/2024
We’ve been dealing with this absolute hell hole for several weeks in Retford, we’ve attended multiple times to collect trapped pigeons that have fell through the roof (you can see on the images how the ceiling has caved in and become unsafe). They can’t get out and there are at least 20 dead birds in the building.
During the summer it was baby birds mainly, now it’s adults getting trapped in the shop. It’s a very long shop so even with 1 window broken they can’t get out they just smash into the windows and become injured.
We have made the police aware several times of what we are doing when entering the building, and they have been fine with us attending.
We have spoken to the council multiple times, others have contacted the RSPCA who are waiting for me to update them once environmental health decide what they want to do about this horrendous building.
The place is not owned by anyone according to the land registry, so the responsibility for the building being so unsafe lies with the council. We are getting no where. Having the place fumigated / boarding it up with the birds inside is NOT an option. But the building desperately needs knocking down / securing so no more birds can get inside. As rescues myself and 2 others are offering to assist in the safe removal of the birds so that the building can be secured but it is too unsafe for us to attempt to do this.
The birds have been unwell, all of the babies died from disease even when receiving treatment, tonight we have collected a very poorly adult bird.
To make things even better we were verbally abused by the neighbouring pub for going in to help these birds - so kind of them to shout and swear at us, telling us they’re going to ring the birds necks. How kind.
We will be helping these birds as often as it’s reported to us. I will be ringing the council again tomorrow and I would like to make it clear how dangerous this building is.
We’re putting ourselves at risk and will continue to do so while ever these animals need our help. Should the building collapse whilst I’m in there I’d like all of our following to know how much we have tried to get help and have someone take accountability for this building.
And to be clear, I will not tolerate abuse from anyone.
Bassetlaw District Council Windy Ridge Bird Rescue Pigeon are friends