Bryan Wilkins, a 78-year-old resident known as Birdman, has been taken to court in Hartlepool after repeatedly scattering bread for pigeons despite legal warnings.
The pensioner regularly purchases 30 loaves of bread each day, spreading crumbs along public streets to feed local flocks of pigeons and seagulls.
Local residents complained to municipal authorities that the daily feeding routine attracted large numbers of rats to the neighbourhood, causing a recurring rodent infestation.
Legal warnings and court proceedings
Hartlepool council officials issued Wilkins with an official warning in 2023 in an attempt to stop the feeding. When the activity continued, authorities obtained a formal court injunction in April 2025.
The injunction warned Wilkins that further violations would carry criminal liability. Despite the legal restriction, Wilkins continued feeding the birds, prompting authorities to prosecute him in court.
Appearing in court, Wilkins pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested a trial by jury. The court set his trial date for September 15.
Dispute over rat control
Wilkins defended his actions by saying he was simply preventing the birds from starving to death. He also stated that controlling rat infestations was the responsibility of the city council rather than individual residents.
A council spokesperson responded that local authorities have a legal duty to protect public health. The representative noted that Wilkins' ongoing actions had resulted in repeated complaints from residents about rats.
The spokesperson added that officials tried to resolve the situation peacefully, but Wilkins' refusal to cooperate left the council with no alternative but to pursue legal action.
Local background and legal framework
Hartlepool is a coastal port town located in County Durham in North East England. Municipal councils in the United Kingdom hold statutory duties to manage public health, sanitation, and pest control within their jurisdictions.
Under the English legal system, local councils can seek court injunctions to prevent persistent public nuisances. Breaching a court order can lead to criminal prosecution, with defendants entitled to request a jury trial.
Pigeon infestations have drawn attention in other international contexts as well. In Klang, Selangor, pigeons previously took over a hospital ward in Malaysia, where helpless patients and inactive staff were unable to address the intrusion.
