Thousands raised after peacock attack
Thousands of pounds have been raised to support a Dunfermline sanctuary after two of it's peacocks were attacked, and one killed
Last updated 1st Jun 2022
Nearly than £6000 has been raised on GoFundMe to support a sanctuary in Dunfermline after two of its peacocks were attacked – one of the birds was tortured and killed.
A fundraiser was created last night to raise money for repairs now required on the aviary in Pittencrieff Park and the vet bills for the surviving bird, Louis.
The other bird, Malcom, was found dead at 11pm on Monday night and Louis was seriously injured by the attackers who broke in.
"Real shock"
Joe Gilmartin, who is part of the community group that looks after the peacocks, said the attack was “terrible” and that it had been a “real shock” to the whole of the community.
He told Forth News: “We’re devastated by what’s happened. Two young individuals went down and caused some havoc in the park and unfortunately one of our main birds, our oldest actually, Malcom was killed in the process.
“It’s just a terrible circumstance and there’s a lot going on in the park at the moment. We’re coming up to the jubilee weekend and we were all looking forward to the celebrations.
“We had events planned in the aviary and it’s just put a dent into all that planning really.”
He added that not just the volunteers were “devastated” but many others from around Fife who see the birds as emblems of the town.
“We’ve had a huge public response reaching over 200,000 people and there’s only forty-odd thousand in Dunfermline, so it just shows you how far the legacy of the peacocks goes,” he said.
“We’ve never had anything like this happen before, I’m really hoping it’s just a one-off. I don’t expect it to happen again.
“Everyone loves the peacocks from kids right through to adults, so it’s been a real shock to us.”
Mr Gilmartin said they were looking into getting more security and CCTV at the aviary to avoid, as far as possible, anything like this happening again.
"Shocked and appalled"
Local MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "I was shocked and appalled when I heard about the deplorable attack on the peacock aviary.
"This was a senseless act of cruelty on defenceless birds, who are treasured by people across our local community.
"My thoughts go out to all the volunteers who work so hard every day to look after the peacocks; I know this will have hurt them deeply.
"The 'Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park' charity now face vet bills and repair costs as a result of this horrible incident.
"I know that times are tough for a lot of people but, if you can, please consider donating to their fundraising efforts."
A spokesman for Police Scotland, said: "Around 11.50pm on Monday, May 30, 2022, we received a report of animal cruelty following the death of a peacock within Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline.
"A second peacock was also injured during the incident.
"Officers are following a positive line of inquiry."
Dunfermline’s peacocks are a longstanding piece of the ancient capital’s heritage having held Freedom of The City since 1907.
They were first introduced by philanthropist Henry Beveridge who transported the exotic birds over from India and gifted them to the Glen.
Pittencrieff Park is part of Andrew Carnegie’s legacy – the city’s most famous son who made his fortune in the American steel industry – he was born just opposite the 76-acre park.