A CHESHIRE couple who tried to nurse a black-headed gull back to health were found to be in breach of their ban looking after animals.

Steven Mark Evans, 40 and Kathryn Louise Evans, 52, both of Well Street, Malpas, had previously been banned from keeping animals, except for two dogs, in a ban due to expire in December 2024, Chester Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday, January 2. That ban had been imposed due to unnecessary suffering caused to a pony.

But when RSPCA inspectors visited their home, they found two thoroughbred horses named Jasper and Benji, a black and white rabbit named Izzy, two tropical fish and the black-headed gull, which had a broken wing. A wild hare had also been looked after at the property.

The pair had denied causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal but were found guilty after a trial. They admitted breaching the disqualification.

Both were handed a community order and their ban was extended.

Prosecuting, Anna McDonald said a police officer had visited their home on August 12, 2022 for an unrelated matter and saw a wild hare there. When the RSPCA visited, they saw the horses in a field, the two dogs, two fish and a rabbit in good condition.

The couple explained the black-headed gull, which was found by inspectors to be in a cardboard box at the property, had been found on a golf course and they were looking after it with a view to take the bird elsewhere, but this was not possible due to the avian flu outbreak. Kathryn Evans added it was then the intention to fix the bird and release it back into the wild.

The black-headed gull was inspected and the wing was not healing correctly, and it was euthanised after it was considered the gull would never be able to fly again.

The horses were examined by the RSPCA and, while their condition was considered fine, they were found to have advanced arthritis and so were euthanised on welfare grounds.

The son owned the fish at the house, and Izzy the rabbit had been there for three weeks after the wild hare had been taken to the vets to be put to sleep, after an owl had killed the hare's mother. The rabbit found at the property was to be rehomed by the RSPCA.

Defending, Howard Jones said both defendants had physical and mental health difficulties. He said Kathryn Evans has MS and had been advised by an occupational therapist that riding was something which would be good for her, hence the horses.

He said the animals were all in good condition except for the gull, which they had seen on a golf course and had tried to give to a wildlife sanctuary and a local vet, but they could not accept the bird due to avian flu restrictions.

Mr Jones said the options were to leave the bird where they had found it, where it would likely be victim to a fox or a bird of prey, or try and look after the bird to release it.

A splint had been made for the gull and it was fed fish, and there was "no suggestion of ill treatment".

"All was done in good intention but should not have been pursued," Mr Jones told the court.

Magistrates handed the defendants a 12-month community order, to include 35 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement. They were each fined £50, plus £200 court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

The existing ban on them keeping animals was extended to two years – to the beginning of 2026.