Police are investigating reports of a man drowning a grey squirrel in Airthrey Loch at Stirling University.
Constable Dee Chalmers told Bridge of Allan Community Council on Tuesday night that a man was seen walking in the vicinity with a live squirrel in a cage around lunch time on Wednesday June 5.
People walking their dogs nearby then saw the cage containing the mammal being submerged in the loch.
Witnesses challenged the man and tried to pull the cage out of the loch, but by that stage the squirrel was already dead.
The man was seen leaving the scene in a green Vauxhall Corsa.
Constable Chalmers pointed out to the community council: “This happened in broad daylight in the middle of the day when the area was busy. It caused distress to people walking in the area.”
Police Scotland colleague Constable Paul Gilliland described the matter as “callous” adding: “This was in full view of the public. I don’t know what the man was thinking about.”
Grey squirrels were introduced to the British Isles from North America in the 19th century. However, they carry the parapox virus which can be passed to red squirrels which do not have immunity from the disease. Red squirrels can develop ulcers, lesions and scabs and die within four to five days of being infected with the virus.
Charity Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels said this week following the Airthrey Loch incident: “We completely condemn the use of drowning as a method of grey squirrel dispatch.
“Our project staff and volunteers are fully trained to follow a strict protocol which only includes approved humane dispatch methods.
“People should never set a trap for grey squirrels unless they are willing and able to dispatch humanely, or have made prior arrangements for a trained individual to do so for them.
“Anyone interested in helping control grey squirrels for the benefit of red squirrels should contact us for advice before taking any action themselves.”
The matter is being investigated by Forth Valley wildlife crime liason officer Laura Robertson who is based at Dunblane.
