FOUR men have been charged in relation to the mistreatment of protected wildlife near Castle Douglas.
Throughout this year police have carried out “extensive investigations” into reports of “ongoing persecution against protected birds of prey and wildlife” in the area of Parton.
And yesterday it was confirmed that four men, aged 59, 52, 46 and 31, have now been arrested.
A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.
Wildlife crime officer constable, John Cowan, said: “All allegations of wildlife crime are taken very seriously and matters such as this will be investigated vigorously in Dumfries & Galloway.
“We have excellent relationships with members of the public in our rural communities and they are only too keen to let us know when the magnificent wildlife in the area is coming to harm.
“We will continue to robustly investigate wildlife crime alongside our many partners in the hope that we can completely eradicate such practices.”
