Divebombing hawk attacking villagers claims new victim as council mulls taking deadly action
A divebombing hawk notorious for attacking villagers has claimed a new victim as the local council considers taking deadly action against the bird.
A divebombing hawk notorious for attacking villagers has claimed a new victim as the local council considers taking deadly action against the bird.
The hawk that has terrorised residents for weeks - especially tall men living there - will be euthanised if it is deemed a threat to life, Flamstead parish council has warned.
The Harris hawk - a medium-large bird of prey - has attacked more than 25 residents in the village of Flamstead, Hertfordshire, over several weeks and fresh photos of another man attacked by the bird have been posted on social media.
Tim Parsons, chairman of the council near St Albans, said that a verdict on euthanising the hawk would be based on whether police deemed it a threat to life.
It comes despite a falconer being extremely close to catching the bird.
The South American bird of prey has been divebombing villagers - with tall men said to be particularly at risk. At least 12 have reported head wounds caused by the feathery devil.
The bird, which is roughly double the size of a common pigeon, has even been credited with causing an upsurge in requests for tetanus jabs at a local doctors surgery.
Barbara Royle, of the Independent Bird Register said: This type of bird doesnt have to have a ring because its an American species, so it will have been bred in this country
The Harris hawk - a medium-large bird of prey - has attacked more than 25 residents in the village of Flamstead, Hertfordshire, over several weeks and fresh photos of another man attacked by the bird have been posted on social media
The hawk is said to have a preference for tall men when attacking. Pictured: Husband of resident Jess Mclaughlin, who was attacked by the hawk
Mr Parsons said: We want the hawk to be caught safely and we need people to stop feeding it so that the falconer can catch it.
We think people are still feeding it because our falconer hasnt been able to catch it yet.
A decision will be made by the police [on euthanising] the bird if it is deemed a threat to life, but it is not a parish council decision, we are just reporting the updates we are given.
The Harris hawk has swooped down to attack tall men in recent weeks, with several having been left with cuts and scratches from the birds talons
Attacks are becoming more frequent and the bird of prey - which is popular for use in falconry - remains a threat to residents.
Hertfordshire Police said: We encourage locals not to feed the bird, and work is ongoing with partners to try and bring this to a safe resolution.
Should a decision be made to euthanise the bird then this would be following a consultation with other partners - it would not be the sole decision or responsibility of the police.
A lot of people in Flamstead are worried about him attacking them, mainly men, said one local
Local Roy Lambden was attacked on March 2 and later realised he had caught the incident on a CCTV security system at his house
CCTV shows the moment Mr Lambden was walking in the street - before the hawk swooped down and attacked him on the head
No time frame was provided for when a decision will be taken on whether or not to euthanise the Harris hawk.
Among the birds victims is Graeme Elliot, who told MailOnline that the hawk has swooped on him twice - and missed once - in just seven days.
On both occasions, he recalls feeling a massive thud to the back of his head, with the birds talons drawing blood from his scalp.
Graeme, who is standing as a Hertfordshire county councillor for Bridgewater, revealed how the first attack happened last Tuesday afternoon while he was out canvassing with his colleagues, before he was struck again just two days later.
I felt a massive thud on the back of my head, and I thought what is that? recalled Graeme. And then I just saw a bird swoop past me.
I put my hand on my head, and I thought, Oh, theres blood!
And I shouted at my wife who was out canvassing with me and she thought I was mad, because she hadnt seen it.
The Flamstead hawk has jesses hanging from its legs - leather straps used to tie birds of prey to posts
The hawk has been credited with attacking at least 12 people - and an upsurge in requests for tetanus shots at a local medical centre
But Graeme was able to confirm he was indeed attacked by the bird of prey when minutes later he was speaking to a nearby resident.
He told me he had his hat taken [by the hawk] and he was quite an elderly man. He was probably in his 90s and lives in the same street.
Then on the Thursday, two days later, I was out canvassing once more and it got me again. The second attack was heavier and it drew more blood.
I looked at it, and it was just sitting on a telegraph pole. I thought, there you are, looking at me.
My colleague got swooped on as well, but it missed him. Then it tried again with me and missed. So it got me twice and missed once.
Another resident I spoke to who worked in the local doctors surgery said that thered been a lot of people coming in for tetanus jabs because of that bird.
Its causing a bit of a controversy around here, because youre walking around just thinking where do I look in case it comes back again?
I played rugby for 30 years and I dont think I ever got a bang on the head like that!
Graeme said he had been shown photographs by residents around the village of men with the backs of their necks scratched by the bird, which has become quite a talking point.
He added: I dont think anybodys heard of Flamstead- but they have now.
Flamstead is a quintessential English village off the M1 near Luton with two pubs, a primary school and a church
Graeme Elliot, who is standing as a Hertfordshire county councillor for Bridgewater, told MailOnline he was attacked three times in a week by the hawk
The South American bird of prey has been divebombing villagers - with tall men said to be particularly at risk
Local Roy Lambden was attacked on March 2 and later realised he had caught the incident on a CCTV security system at his house.
It attacks from behind and youre surprised, you suddenly get a whack on the head – a number of people get their heads cut, the 68-year-old said.
Confirming the bird had been around for some time but had only become aggressive over the last week or so, he added: Someone working in my garden got attacked twice and another friend of mine got cut on the head. Its moving around the village.
Its just a big surprise when this thing hits you from behind. It got me from behind and cut me on the top of the head. Its a big shock when it happens. Its out of the blue.
The falconer has been down. Hes putting humane traps down to try and catch it.
Some people are frightened. Its cut about a dozen peoples heads. It did mine last Sunday [Sunday before last]. I was one of the early ones.
The general view is that they are going to try to trap it humanely and find a new home for it.
People would like it to be saved and looked after.