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Crows left 'drunk' and flightless after eating chemical-soaked seeds at Romney Road, near Lydd Airport

10:00, 23 July 2015

Crows have appeared “drunk” and unable to fly after eating from a mystery trail of seeds.

And it is feared that animals could be poisoned if they eat the chemical-soaked substance.

Environmental health officials were called in to investigate and one neighbour is warning dog owners to keep their pets away.

Crows were left flightless after eating treated seeds in Lydd.
Crows were left flightless after eating treated seeds in Lydd.

Jenny Coleman, who was walking her dog noticed crows eating the red-coloured seed and becoming disorientated and unable to fly.

She said: “Three or four of the birds ate it and couldn’t fly, certainly not for any distance.
“In fact, my dog approached them and they hobbled away, instead of flying off.

Jenny Coleman with the red-coloured seeds.
Jenny Coleman with the red-coloured seeds.

“They seemed to be very lethargic.

“I didn’t see any of them die there and then, but I want to warn other pet owners because a dog could eat that stuff and be killed.”

The substance was in a trail of 30 to 40 yards and found by Mrs Coleman on Monday,Jul 20 close to her home in Romney Road, Lydd.

The pesticide-treated seeds, dyed red, found at Lydd.
The pesticide-treated seeds, dyed red, found at Lydd.

It was on rough ground off the road to Lydd Airport, close to the junction with the B2075 Romney Road and the airport sign.

Mrs Coleman believed it was wheat seeds covered in protective chemicals and dyed red to indicate they had been treated.

But she said she could not understand why it was left in a trail on the ground rather than being stored in barns.

Crows appeared "lethargic" after eating seeds.
Crows appeared "lethargic" after eating seeds.

She said that the Shepway dog warden and district environmental health officers came to investigate.

The two ward councillors, Clive Goddard and Len Laws, have also been alerted.

Cllr Laws told the Express: “The crows were described as looking as if they were drunk when they pecked the seeds and they couldn’t fly off.

“There is concern for dogs being walked in the area.”

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