Man Filmed Breaking Goose's Neck in Park, Police Investigating
Bystanders confronted a man after a goose was allegedly killed in a Birmingham park, leading to a police investigation into animal cruelty.
Police are investigating an alleged act of animal cruelty after a video surfaced showing a man confronting bystanders in Ward End Park in Birmingham. The incident, which occurred on October 19, involves a goose that was reportedly killed.
The video captures a hooded man holding a box, which witnesses claim was used to lure birds with bread. The person filming the footage can be heard stating that the man "has just killed one" and "has just broken the duck's neck." The footage then pans to a goose on the ground, appearing to twitch.
West Midlands Police confirmed they are investigating the incident. A spokesperson stated, "We received a report of animal cruelty at Ward End Park in Birmingham on 19 October and are making enquiries to establish the circumstances around what happened." The force is collaborating with park management and local authorities and is seeking anyone who may have witnessed the event or knows the individual involved.
Social media users have expressed outrage, with some claiming that community officers had previously warned the man about similar behavior. Animal rights activists noted that the luring technique seen in the video is sometimes employed by farm poachers but is rarely used so openly.
Joey Alexander, an animal cruelty investigator, described the alleged act as "shocking and callous," emphasizing that the bird was likely conscious during its distress. He added that such actions are "completely needless" and that the individual in the clip appeared "disturbed."
Recent statistics from the RSPCA indicate a rise in cruelty reports involving wild birds, with a five-year peak observed in the summer of 2025. In July and August 2025, 359 incidents were reported, nearly double the 179 from the same period in 2024. As of July this year, the RSPCA had already received 474 reports.
The RSPCA stated that all wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to deliberately kill, injure, or take them without a license. They urge anyone with information about the Ward End Park incident to contact them.
Alexander also raised concerns about the adequacy of penalties for animal cruelty, suggesting that more severe consequences could deter offenders. The current maximum sentence for animal cruelty in the UK is five years imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
The incident in Birmingham occurred shortly after a separate event in Hull, where two men were filmed stealing a pet rabbit. The owner reported that the thieves were heard discussing making the rabbit into a kebab. The rabbit was later found unharmed.