Inverness shop shutdown over illegal animal parts
A buzzard’s wing, a tawny owl foot pendant, & two barn owl heads were for sale.
An illegal online animal trading business in the Highland capital's been closed down by the police.
Gordon Taylor's 'Wild Wizard Crafts' business traded online, selling the body parts of protected animal species - targeting people with interests in paganism or shamanism.
A police search of the 46-year-old's home revealed a workshop in a cupboard - and inside 11-items were discovered: including a buzzard’s wing, a pendant made from a tawny owl’s foot, and two barn owl heads in jam jars.
The illegal trader expected to make almost £700 from selling the contraband. Instead, at Inverness Sheriff Court, he's been fined £750 after pleading guilty to keeping the goods.
Laura Buchan, Assistant Procurator Fiscal, Specialist Casework told MFR News: "I welcome today’s sentence and the message it sends to anyone involved in this illegal market.
"The existence of such a market drives persecution of these protected species.
"In addition the prosecution highlights to other commercial sellers that they need to understand the legislation and take seriously their obligations in respect of the international convention on the trade in endangered species of fauna and flora.
"We would encourage anyone who may have information on this type of offending to contact the police."