Animal-loving grandpa being taken to court for refusing to stop feeding birds

An animal-loving grandfather is being taken to court by his local council – for refusing to stop feeding the birds in his town.Brian Wilkins, 76, received a Community Protection Order last year after local councillors complained that his feeding the birds was attracting vermin in areas of Hartlepool, Co.Durham.His daughter Paula Allison claims her dad — known as the ‘Bird Man of Hartlepool’ – had tried to avoid areas he was banned from but continued with his favorite activity.Mr Wilkins’ case will now go to trial next year after he appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tues) to deny failing to comply with the community order imposed by Hartlepool Borough Council (HBC).His court summons stated that he’d continued to “ignore advice and requests to stop placing food and feed for wildlife”, leading to “the persistent attraction of vermin”.As a result of his “unreasonable” behaviour, the summons alleged he was “significantly impacting the quality of life” of the people of Hartlepool.However, 57-year-old Paula says locals support her dad and disagree with HBC’s “targeting” of him.She claims HBC are trying to blame her dad for attracting rats — but says they’ve been around for “ages”, partly due to takeaways in the town.Paula says her dad buys as many as 30 loaves of bread each morning before dicing it up and taking it out to feed the birds.“Dad was banned around a year ago from feeding the birds in certain areas,” she said.

“He goes to other areas, but now he has this court case.It’s shocking.”Paula explained that Mr Wilkins, who used to own several companies including a building firm and a skip company, began feeding the birds of Hartlepool after losing six close people in his life in quick succession.

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