A pensioner who fatally shot a pigeon as it perched in a neighbour’s tree has been fined £1,300.
Peter Lister used his air rifle to shoot the bird in its wing, Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard last week.
The RSPCA was called after a member of the public discovered the injured wood pigeon, which was taken to a vet and put down due to the extent of its injuries.
The 70-year-old Oxford artist pleaded not guilty, insisting he had nothing to do with the pigeon’s death.
The bird was wounded on January 30 in Southmoor Road, Jericho in a garden neighbouring Lister’s home.
Lister refused the RSPCA’s request to interview him and was described by the charity as ‘uncooperative’.
He denied shooting the bird, despite the pellet dislodged from the pigeon matching one of two air rifles owned by Lister and seized by the police.
At Friday’s court appearance Lister received a £500 fine and was told to pay £750 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.
Magistrates also issued a forfeiture order on the air rifle used to shoot the pigeon.
