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Publication - Progress report

Wildlife crime in Scotland: 2015 annual report

Published
25 November 2016
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Law and order
ISBN
9781786526199

The fourth wildlife crime annual report, this highlights new data from the financial year 2014 to 2015.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Appendix 4 - Court Proceedings and Penalties Data by Specific Offence

Table A: People proceeded against in Scottish Courts for wildlife offences, where main charge

Crime group and legislation

Section of act

Description of offence

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

Total proceeded against

53

71

77

80

51

Badgers:

3

2

-

-

2

PROTECTION OF BADGERS ACT 1992

3(1)(A)

Damaging a badger sett

2

-

-

-

-

3(1)(B)

Destroying a badger sett

1

-

-

-

-

3(1)(E)

Disturbing a badger in a sett

-

1

-

-

-

11A(1)

Attempt to commit offence under this Act

-

1

-

-

2

Birds:

6

15

19

10

8

WILDLIFE & COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981

1(1)(A)

Intentionally, recklessly: kills, injures, takes wild bird

4

5

14

7

5

1(1)(C)

Intentionally, recklessly: takes, destroys egg of any wild bird

-

3

1

-

-

1(2)(A)

Possession: live, dead wild bird or part of

-

2

-

1

1

1(2)(B)

Possession: wild bird's egg or part of

-

1

-

1

-

1(5)(A)

Intentionally, recklessly: disturbs nesting Schedule 1 wild bird

-

2

2

1

-

1(5C)

Knowingly cause, permit offence under foregoing
provisions

-

1

1

-

-

5(1)(A)

Prohibition of certain methods of killing/taking wild birds: sets particular articles or poisonous substance

2

-

-

-

-

5(1)(B)

Prohibition of certain methods of killing/taking wild birds: use of such articles; nets, board, lime etc

-

1

1

-

2

Cruelty to wild animals:

2

4

9

4

3

WILD MAMMALS (PROTECTION) ACT 1996

1

Mutilates, beats, stabs, impales etc any wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering

-

1

-

-

-

WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981

10A(1)

Intentionally, recklessly: kills, injures, takes Schedule 5A wild animal (i.e. hare) during close season

-

-

-

-

1

11(1)(A)

Sets or uses a self-locking snare or snare of any other type specified in an order made by Scottish Ministers

-

-

-

1

-

11(1)(AA)

Sets or uses any other type of snare of a nature or placement calculated to cause unnecessary suffering

1

1

-

3

1

11(2)(A)

Sets articles likely to injure Schedule 6 wild animal

-

-

-

-

1

11(3) & (3B)(A)

Failure to inspect snare at intervals of no more than 24 hours (or causing or permitting this to happen)

1

-

-

-

-

11(G)(1)

Prevention: poaching (hares and rabbits)

-

2

9

-

-

Deer:

3

8

3

5

2

DEER (SCOTLAND) ACT 1996

5(1),5(5) & SCHEDULE 6

Taking etc deer in close season

1

3

1

-

-

17(1)

Take/kill deer without right on any land

1

1

-

3

-

17(2)

Take/kill deer without right on any land and remove carcass

-

1

-

-

-

17(3)

Kill/injure deer other than by shooting

-

2

-

1

-

18(1)

Kill/injure deer at night

-

1

-

-

-

22

Two or more persons partaking in offences (17-21 of this Act) shall all be guilty of an offence

-

-

2

1

2

23(1)

Possession of deer, firearms, ammunition connected to relevant offence

1

-

-

-

-

Hunting with dogs:

9

5

11

9

3

PROTECTION OF WILD MAMMALS (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

1(1)

Deliberately hunting wild mammal with a dog

9

5

11

9

3

Poaching and game laws:

8

8

1

-

-

GAME (SCOTLAND) ACT 1772

1

Taking/killing/selling/possessing/buying game birds out of season

-

2

-

-

-

GAME (SCOTLAND) ACT 1832

1

Trespassing on land during daytime in pursuit of game (and disguised for this purpose)

2

3

-

-

-

NIGHT POACHING ACT 1828

1

Unlawfully taking game or rabbits at night on any land, or entering land with a gun or other instrument for this purpose

2

3

1

-

-

9

Three or more people unlawfully entering land at night armed with weapon to take game or rabbits are all guilty of offence

3

-

-

-

-

POACHING PREVENTION ACT 1862

2

Possession of unlawfully taken game

1

-

-

-

-

Fish poaching:

22

18

23

43

19

FRESHWATER & SALMON FISHERIES (SCOTLAND) ACT 1976

1(8)

Contravening prohibition contained in Order (for protection of freshwater fishing)

-

-

-

1

-

SALMON & FRESHWATER FISHERIES ACT 1975

27(A)

Fishing or taking fish by unapproved/unlicensed means

1

-

-

-

-

SALMON AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES (CONSOLIDATION) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003

1(1)(A)&(B)

Fishing for salmon by unspecified methods in any inland waters

3

1

3

-

1

1(1)(A)(B)&(3)

Attempting or preparing to commit offence under Section 1(1) of this Act

-

-

-

-

1

1(2)(A)(B)(C)

Fishing for salmon by unspecified methods in other salmon fishery district

-

-

-

-

1

1(2)(A,B,C)&(3)

Attempting or preparing to commit offence under Section 1(2) of this Act

-

1

-

-

-

2(1)&(2)

Fishing (inc attempting) for freshwater fish other than by rod or line (unless otherwise permitted)

4

2

-

-

-

6(1)&(2)

Fishing (inc attempting) for salmon without right

4

5

5

15

3

7

Illegal fishing - two or more persons acting together

-

1

4

2

-

9(1)&(2)

Illegal possession salmon or trout, or other instrument, poison, explosive etc for purpose of committing related offence

1

1

2

2

6

11(1)

Fishing without right or permission in water (proper stank or loch) where rights owned by another

6

-

1

12

4

13(2)&(4)

Fishing for or taking salmon during Sunday

-

-

2

2

-

13(3)&(4)

Fishing for or taking salmon during weekly close time

-

1

-

-

2

14(1)

Fishing for or taking salmon during annual close time

-

-

-

1

-

17(2)(A)

Fishing for or taking trout during close season

2

-

-

-

-

18(1)(A)

Wilfully taking unclean or unseasonable salmon

-

-

-

2

-

20

Possessing salmon which have been illegally taken, killed or landed

1

1

-

1

-

26(1)

Fishing without right; Solway

-

2

-

3

-

58

Obstruction of constable or water bailiff

-

2

-

-

1

SALMON AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES (PROTECTION)(SCOTLAND) ACT 1951

1

Fishes for or takes salmon without legal right or written permission

-

-

2

-

-

7A(1)(B)

Possessing salmon which have been illegally taken, killed or landed

-

-

2

-

-

13(1)

Fishing for or taking salmon during Sunday

-

-

-

1

-

SCOTLAND ACT 1998 RIVER TWEED

A30(1)

Illegal possession of salmon or trout (or certain items which could be used to take salmon or trout)

-

1

-

-

-

2006

Various fishing offences

-

-

-

1

-

THE FISH CONSERVATION (FISHING FOR EELS)(SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2008

2

Fishing for or taking eels without licence

-

-

2

-

-

Conservation (protected sites):

-

1

-

-

-

NATURE CONSERVATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2004

19(3)

Failure to comply with 13(1) or 16(1) 14(5)(b) or 17(3)(b) (operations by public bodies or owners etc)

-

1

-

-

-

Other wildlife offences:

-

10

11

9

14

THE CONSERVATION (NATURAL HABITATS, &C.) REGULATIONS 1994

39(1)(A)

Deliberately kill or take European protected species

-

-

1

-

-

39(1)(A/B/C/D)

Deliberately kill, take, disturb, destroy European protected species

-

-

1

-

1

41(2)

Prohibition of certain methods of killing wild animals

-

-

2

2

-

THE CONTROL OF TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (ENFORCEMENT) REGS 1997

8(1)

Purchase, sale of etc. any specimen of species in Annex A

-

3

1

-

1

WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981

15(A)

Possession of pesticides

-

2

1

-

-

18(1)

Attempts to commit any wildlife offence under Part 1 of the Act

-

4

3

7

3

18(2)

Possession of anything capable of being used for wildlife offences under this part of the Act

-

1

2

-

8

18A(1)&(2)

Vicarious liability for offence(s) committed by employee or agent

-

-

-

-

1

Source: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database

Table B: People with a charge proved in Scottish Courts for wildlife offences, where main charge, by main penalty

Crime group and legislation

Section of act

Main penalty

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

Total convictions

37

48

56

60

35

Badgers:

3

1

-

-

2

PROTECTION OF BADGERS ACT 1992

3(1)(A)

Monetary

2

-

-

-

-

3(1)(B)

Monetary

1

-

-

-

-

11A(1)

Community sentence

-

-

-

-

2

Monetary

-

1

-

-

-

Birds:

4

12

16

7

6

WILDLIFE & COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981

1(1)(A)

Custody

-

1

-

-

-

Community sentence

-

1

3

1

-

Monetary

2

2

8

4

3

Other

1

-

1

-

-

1(1)(C)

Custody

-

-

1

-

-

Monetary

-

3

-

-

-

1(2)(A)

Monetary

-

2

-

-

1

1(2)(B)

Community sentence

-

-

-

1

-

1(5)(A)

Monetary

-

2

-

-

-

Other

-

-

2

1

-

1(5C)

Monetary

-

1

-

-

-

5(1)(A)

Monetary

1

-

-

-

-

5(1)(B)

Custody

-

-

-

-

1

Monetary

-

-

1

-

-

Other

-

-

-

-

1

Cruelty to wild animals:

2

3

7

2

2

WILD MAMMALS (PROTECTION) ACT 1996

1

Monetary

-

1

-

-

-

WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981

10A(1)

Monetary

-

-

-

-

1

11(1)(AA)

Community sentence

-

-

-

1

-

Monetary

1

-

-

1

-

11(2)(A)

Monetary

-

-

-

-

1

11(3) & (3B)(A)

Monetary

1

-

-

-

-

11(G)(1)

Community sentence

-

-

1

-

-

Monetary

-

2

4

-

-

Other

-

-

2

-

-

Deer:

3

5

1

4

1

DEER (SCOTLAND) ACT 1996

5(1),5(5) & SCHEDULE 6

Monetary

1

-

1

-

-

17(1)

Monetary

1

-

-

3

-

Other

-

1

-

-

-

17(2)

Monetary

-

1

-

-

-

17(3)

Community sentence

-

2

-

1

-

18(1)

Monetary

-

1

-

-

-

22

Monetary

-

-

-

-

1

23(1)

Monetary

1

-

-

-

-

Hunting with dogs:

3

-

7

5

2

PROTECTION OF WILD MAMMALS (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

1(1)

Custody

-

-

-

1

-

Community sentence

-

-

2

-

-

Monetary

3

-

2

4

2

Other

-

-

3

-

-

Poaching and game laws:

4

5

1

-

-

GAME (SCOTLAND) ACT 1832

1

Monetary

2

2

-

-

-

NIGHT POACHING ACT 1828

1

Monetary

-

1

-

-

-

Other

1

2

1

-

-

POACHING PREVENTION ACT 1862

2

Monetary

1

-

-

-

-

Fish poaching:

18

12

16

37

11

FRESHWATER & SALMON FISHERIES (SCOTLAND) ACT 1976

1(8)

Monetary

-

-

-

1

-

SALMON & FRESHWATER FISHERIES ACT 1975

27(A)

Other

1

-

-

-

-

SALMON AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES (CONSOLIDATION) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003

1(1)(A)(B)&(3)

Monetary

-

-

-

-

1

1(1)(A)&(B)

Monetary

1

-

3

-

1

1(2)(A,B,C)&(3)

Monetary

-

1

-

-

-

2(1)&(2)

Monetary

4

1

-

-

-

6(1)&(2)

Community sentence

-

-

1

-

-

Monetary

3

3

3

11

2

Other

-

-

-

2

-

7

Community sentence

-

-

1

-

-

Monetary

-

1

2

1

-

9(1)&(2)

Monetary

1

1

1

1

4

Other

-

-

1

-

2

11(1)

Monetary

6

-

-

6

-

Other

-

-

-

6

-

13(2)&(4)

Monetary

-

-

1

2

-

13(3)&(4)

Monetary

-

1

-

-

-

14(1)

Other

-

-

-

1

-

17(2)(A)

Other

1

-

-

-

-

18(1)(A)

Monetary

-

-

-

1

-

Other

-

-

-

1

-

20

Monetary

1

1

-

-

-

26(1)

Monetary

-

2

-

2

-

58

Monetary

-

1

-

-

1

SALMON AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES (PROTECTION)(SCOTLAND) ACT 1951

7A(1)(B)

Monetary

-

-

2

-

-

13(1)

Monetary

-

-

-

1

-

SCOTLAND ACT 1998 (RIVER TWEED)

ORDER 2006

Monetary

-

-

-

1

-

THE FISH CONSERVATION (FISHING FOR EELS)(SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2008

REG 2

Other

-

-

1

-

-

Conservation (protected sites):

-

1

-

-

-

NATURE CONSERVATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2004

19(3)

Monetary

-

1

-

-

-

Other wildlife offences:

-

9

8

5

11

THE CONSERVATION (NATURAL HABITATS, &C.) REGULATIONS 1994

39(1)(A)

Monetary

-

-

1

-

-

39(1)(A/B/C/D)

Monetary

-

-

-

-

1

Other

-

-

1

-

-

41(2)

Monetary

-

-

-

1

-

THE CONTROL OF TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (ENFORCEMENT) REGS 1997

8(1)

Community sentence

-

1

-

-

-

Monetary

-

1

-

-

1

WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981

15(A)

Monetary

-

2

1

-

-

18(1)

Community sentence

-

3

-

-

-

Monetary

-

1

1

3

3

Other

-

-

2

1

-

18(2)

Monetary

-

1

2

-

4

Other

-

-

-

-

1

18A(1)&(2)

Monetary

-

-

-

-

1

Source: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database

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