POLICE this morning raided a Hampshire tourist attraction and the home of its owner, who is at the centre of controversial claims over the handling of animals.
Officers launched an operation at the New Forest Owl Sanctuary in Ringwood and two other addresses including the home of owner Bruce Berry, pictured above.
Operation Feaversham, led by Hampshire police wildlife crime officer PC Geoff Culbertson, comes in the wake of allegations of cruelty and other irregularities made in the recent BBC television Inside Out programme.
Police officers backed by RSPCA inspectors, a vet and members of the force support unit were looking for evidence of illegal trading in protected species and executing a warrant for the arrest of Mr Berry on suspicion of theft of a saker falcon, said PC Culbertson.
More than 12 police officers are understood to be involved in the operation.
The operation comes 11 days after the sanctuary, in Crow Lane, was the subject of controversial claims in the BBC documentary fronted by Hampshire wildlife expert Chris Packham.
It claimed that it found evidence of cruelty at the complex and accused the sanctuary of mishandling wild birds, dirty conditions in aviaries hidden from public view, and illegal release of captive bred barn owls.
Mr Berry, a former chairman of the International Owl Society who opened the sanctuary in a converted piggery 14 years ago, strongly denied the allegations.
In a statement issued after the programme Mr Berry said: "As a result of the programme Inside Out matters have been brought to my attention and I am now starting a full investigation."
He said the details of the programme had been based on the evidence of disgruntled former staff.
A spokesman for New Forest District Council, which is responsible for monitoring the owl sactuary under the Zoo Licensing Act, pledge to investigate the issues too, but a spokesman said at a recent inspection it had proved satisfactory.
A spokesman added that checks made in the wake of complaints made by former staff 18 months ago had uncovered no problems.
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