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Staithes couple heartbroken by second birds theft
PENSIONERS Anne and John Dawson have been left stunned after callous thieves stole their budgies for the second time in as many months.
In April, the Staithes couple were left heartbroken after their beloved pets were stolen from their allotment near their home on Staithes Lane.
The padlock on their aviary was broken and 40 birds were taken.
Now culprits have struck again between 8pm on 17 June and 7.15am the next day and took nine birds, leaving just one small budgie which is now terrified.
Mrs Dawson (66) said: "They used to be so used to John that they would perch on his shoulder but it is petrified, it won't do that any more.
"We had a pet budgie, Tweet, that we kept in the house for three years and because we were trying to build the budgies back up, he had taken that one over to the aviary in the hope it would pair up with another.
"But now this has happened, we are upset and can't understand why somebody would do this to us once, let alone twice."
Mr Dawson (78) had managed to build up another 10 birds but they took all but one.
The couple first bought a budgie several years ago for their granddaughter Asha.
"At the time she was only two, she used to enjoy coming to her us for holidays and going to see the birds," Mrs Dawson said.
"Our grandchildren love them, now we are just too afraid to get any more budgies, we don't know why anyone would do this to us.
"Asha is 15 but her little sister Emma couldn't understand it when we had to explain to her that all the budgies had gone.
"The budgies are a hobby for my husband to keep him active.
"It's so sad, it's not for profit."
Mr Dawson added: "The police have been really good and helpful, they have taken fingerprints.
"Last time this happened we rang all the pet shops.
"A budgie costs about 15 to buy but a pet shop wouldn't buy one for that, I would only get 5 for one if I sold it."
The couple believe whoever has taken the birds will get next to nothing for them and will probably try to sell them at an auction or at a car boot sale.
Mrs Dawson contacted every pet supplier in the Whitby area, working her way through the telephone directory to Bridlington and Durham.
Mr Dawson thinks it must be the same thieves as last time. The couple were left with only five chicks only a few weeks old, which were left and one adult after the first theft. Three of the birds died and the couple reared those remaining by hand.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "This is a heartless crime which has caused the victims a great deal of distress.
"They have invested a lot of time and effort in the budgies and for this to happen to them again is a great shame. If anyone has any information about the incident please contact Whitby Police on (0845) 6060247 or pass any details to Crimestoppers, anonymously on (0800) 555 111."
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Weather for Whitby
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
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