Is this cruel or not?

[Suzie32]

Hi everyone, I was looking for some advice about an African grey parrot I believe isn't being looked after very well, they arnt my specialist subject but I do think he is treated cruelly, it's my ex's dad's parrot & he keeps him in his cage 24/7 & has done for over 35 years, I know because my ex told me, all the poor bird can do is crawl around the bars of the cage, he's never been out of it & he doesn't clean him out regular, he feeds him mixed seed & gives him water & talks to him but that's it & recently he told me oscar (the parrots name) keeps losing balance & falling off his perch but when i mentioned taking him to the vet he said that there's nothing that they could do for him & left it but he did it again a couple of days later & cut his head open but he left him again, idk what to do, I feel so sorry for the poor bird, is this regarded as animal cruelty? Any advice is appreciated, tia

 

[Flboy]

What part of the world is this?

 

[LordTriggs]

in short yes it is a case of cruelty through neglect

would you lock any other animal in a cage all their life and would you not take them to a vet if they had cut their head pen from collapsing?

sounds like that Grey is more an ornament than an animal to me

 

[Suzie32]

@ flboy it's in Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK
@lord triggs, that's what I thought but I'm not sure what to do regarding the situation, should I report it & to who?

 

[Scott]

The definition of animal cruelty is a roving target throughout the world. IMO, the OP description is cruelty, and I believe that sentiment would be echoed by most members of this forum.

Animals are considered "property" in many locales and often not subject to robust protections. Sad and tragic, though progress is being made in many areas. Education and hands-on interactions are helpful to the cause.

Thankfully you may receive specific advice from LordTriggs!

 

[Tami2]

My question is.... Why would someone like this have any animal in their care/possession? If you can't be bothered why not find it a happy SAFE home.
This IMHO is absolutely cruelty. I was there before reading about the injuries.
That poor thing! I’m angry and heartbroken at the same time!
PLEASE get him out of there.

 

[Jottlebot]

Hi, it sounds like cruelty. Report him to the RSPCA, they'll go and inspect and if there is evidence of neglect, especially of an injury that hasn't been treated, they will likely give the owner a chance to get it sorted or take the poor bird away as a last resort.

Will you let us know what you do and how it goes?

 

[Suzie32]

Thanks for the advice all, I'll report it to the rspca & let you know how it goes, hopefully they will be able to help him

 

[LordTriggs]

exactly what I would have said, RSPCA although they may not do anything. Really they deal with animals that are being physically abused and they also know very little about birds

 

[plumsmum2005]

Please be very careful with the RSPCA, this bird could end up being in a breeding programme whether it wants to or not. Keep your wits about you in dealing with them. Even take in the bird yourself in the first instance rather than surrendering him to them. Be careful, use them to get him out of this situation but dont surrender him to them PLEASE?

 

[LordTriggs]

Please be very careful with the RSPCA, this bird could end up being in a breeding programme whether it wants to or not. Keep your wits about you in dealing with them. Even take in the bird yourself in the first instance rather than surrendering him to them. Be careful, use them to get him out of this situation but dont surrender him to them PLEASE?

wait what!? I've never heard of them being forced into breeding programs, or do you mean someone looking for a cheap breeder coming along?

Definitely take them in yourself if you can or find a true parrot rescue for them who will take and care for them

 

[clark_conure]

I agree with lordtriggs on this one....get the ex's dad drunk, open windows, open cage, Save parrot. Tell him he let it out in a drunken fit. Take care of parrot or find it a nice home or rescue, drastic cruelty demands drastic actions. I'm not some member of the animal liberation front but that is a crap environment.

 

[Kiwibird]

Have you offered to buy the parrot from him? If he doesn't care about his sick parrot and thinks it's beyond help, he'd probably be thrilled to get some cash and get the bird off his hands.

 

[LordTriggs]

very good point from Kiwi. May cost you a little but it keeps him happy and gets the bird out of there

I like clarke's idea but I know I'd end up the drunk one in that scenario!

 

[clark_conure]

lulz, yeah but not with a parrot on the line....

 

[ParrotRick]

This thread is old but I am new and browsing...What happened with to Oscar? Is he still there?

 

[clark_conure]

Oh i'm curious too, bump

 

[Tami2]

This thread is old but I am new and browsing...What happened with to Oscar? Is he still there?

Good question, thanks. :smile049: