Swan killed on canal in Burnley

[Leisure]

It’s still not murder though.

Anyway, a swan could break your arm.

So are you saying they can all be killed, because they could break your arm???

[Greenmile]

So are you saying they can all be killed, because they could break your arm???

No. I think it’s pretty clear that’s not what I’m saying.

I’m saying killing a swan isn’t murder, that’s all.

The breaking your arm bit is just from a song lyric. It may well be an urban myth.

Can you, Jakub, or anyone else who seem to think it is murder tell me the precise point at which killing an animal should be considered murder? We seem to have ruled out flies and viruses (virii?), and Jakub suggested it might not be murder if it’s an animal that might be a threat to our health, so I’m going to presume you can’t murder, say, a rat or a snake. Could one murder a gerbil, though, or an earthworm?

For me, the distinction is pretty simple. I think if it’s not a (human) person, you can’t murder it, except in a figurative sense of course (eg - I could murder a kebab right now).

(Lets see if you can manage not to construe this post as my saying all monkeys deserve to die)

[Leisure]

No. I think it’s pretty clear that’s not what I’m saying.

I’m saying killing a swan isn’t murder, that’s all.

The breaking your arm bit is just from a song lyric. It may well be an urban myth.

Can you, Jakub, or anyone else who seem to think it is murder tell me the precise point at which killing an animal should be considered murder? We seem to have ruled out flies and viruses (virii?), and Jakub suggested it might not be murder if it’s an animal that might be a threat to our health, so I’m going to presume you can’t murder, say, a rat or a snake. Could one murder a gerbil, though, or an earthworm?

For me, the distinction is pretty simple. I think if it’s not a (human) person, you can’t murder it, except in a figurative sense of course (eg - I could murder a kebab right now).

(Lets see if you can manage not to construe this post as my saying all monkeys deserve to die)

In very simplistic terms you could consider that it's murder if you had no reason to kill the animal eg it was no threat to you or anyone else.

[Greenmile]

COULD break your arm??!!
I was brought up to be convinced that any swan absolutely WOULD break your arm, given half a chance !!
(Specially one that you might stumble across in the Duke Bar/Heasandford area - why else would they be there, other than looking for some defenceless 8-year-old who was minding his own business?)
i think I'm scarred for life!

I’ve checked. Turns out it’s an urban myth.

https://www.countrylife.co.uk/out-and-a ... arm-190943

[Greenmile]

In very simplistic terms you could consider that it's murder if you had no reason to kill the animal eg it was no threat to you or anyone else.

So when I used a magnifying glass on ants as a small child, that made me a murderer (as well as a budding psychopath)?

(I’m not counting the spiders i still squash in the bathroom to this day, as I submit they are posing a direct threat to my life)

[Rileybobs]

You can’t murder animals. Why is this even being debated?

[Greenmile]

You can’t murder animals. Why is this even being debated?

I’m bored.

[boatshed bill]

I think the queen should keep the blasted things under better control
am I right in thinking they eat them at Oxford Uni?

[Rileybobs]

I’m bored.

I was actually asking the people who think that you can murder animals to explain why they are debating something that is obviously incorrect.

And you can tell I’m also bored for joining in!

[boatshed bill]

I was actually asking the people who think that you can murder animals to explain why they are debating something that is obviously incorrect.

And you can tell I’m also bored for joining in!

So what is it termed as, unlawful killing, I guess?

[Bin Ont Turf]

Let me know where and when and I'll happily join you!

I'll supply the bricks, you bring the ale.

[Devils_Advocate]

So what is it termed as, unlawful killing, I guess?

Theriocide

[Rileybobs]

So what is it termed as, unlawful killing, I guess?

Not sure, but I suppose so.

[boatshed bill]

Theriocide

OK. I may have to look that up

[Greenmile]

I was actually asking the people who think that you can murder animals to explain why they are debating something that is obviously incorrect.

And you can tell I’m also bored for joining in!

I can only speculate on their motives, but I’d guess it’s a sort of “virtue signalling” (I don’t like the term much, but it seems to fit) whereby you can show you’re more outraged than the next man by using more extreme (albeit factually incorrect) terms to describe what happened. I mean I think it was nothing less than avian genocide, on a par with the Holocaust, when you think about it.

There’s also an associated benefit whereby you can then essentially accuse anyone who pulls you up for your misuse of language of being all in favour of killing swans to the extent that they’re thinking of starting a YouGov petition to make it compulsory.

As I say though, I’m just speculating.

[Devils_Advocate]

OK. I may have to look that up

Thats what I did (peak lockdown behaviour)

[Rileybobs]

I can only speculate on their motives, but I’d guess it’s a sort of “virtue signalling” (I don’t like the term much, but it seems to fit) whereby you can show you’re more outraged than the next man by using more extreme (albeit factually incorrect) terms to describe what happened. I mean I think it was nothing less than avian genocide, on a par with the Holocaust, when you think about it.

There’s also an associated benefit whereby you can then essentially accuse anyone who pulls you up for your misuse of language of being all in favour of killing swans to the extent that they’re thinking of starting a YouGov petition to make it compulsory.

As I say though, I’m just speculating.

I’m quite surprised that this thread has got so far without someone suggesting the death penalty. Maybe we should save that for when a group of teenagers trample on some poppies.

[Greenmile]

Theriocide

Great word.

There is some educational benefit to having pointless internet arguments, after all.

[Rileybobs]

Thats what I did (peak lockdown behaviour)

What, theriocide?

[Devils_Advocate]

What, theriocide?

Yes but it was unintentional. I kicked a hedgehog whilst out exercising but it flew into a stream and drowned. I was very shaken up by the whole incident

[Rileybobs]

Yes but it was unintentional. I kicked a hedgehog whilst out exercising but it flew into a stream and drowned. I was very shaken up by the whole incident

I wouldn’t worry, I think that would class as involuntary hogslaughter.

[MACCA]

Near Salterforth/Foulridge mate.

There’s loads of Canadian Goose that nest near Magnesium way usually, or there was when I used to run on there. Opposite side in a field, used to be about a hundred of them

Near hapton, where they've made a new industrial estate?

[Billy Balfour]

Yes but it was unintentional. I kicked a hedgehog whilst out exercising but it flew into a stream and drowned.

Did you feel a bit of a prick?

[Burnley1989]

Near hapton, where they've made a new industrial estate?

About 1/2 mile before

[Squarepusher]

Swans are heavily mistreated in this country. I've heard of farmers in Norfolk feeding them beefburgers.

[Devils_Advocate]

Swans are heavily mistreated in this country. I've heard of farmers in Norfolk feeding them beefburgers.

Could be worse, they could be forced to smoke like the poor pigs!!

[kritichris]

Why does this thread bring to mind the Monty python parrot sketch?

[MACCA]

About 1/2 mile before

Tes seen them on there myself, not sure they'll nest there though, it's a bit open isnt it.

I've seen more than normal on the stretch where I walk.

Geese get a bad rep, Rowley and queen Victoria park in Barrowford have both struggled for success in last few years, think Rowley has had 1 in the last 3 years, the other park none.

Rumours were the council, park rangers and fisherman were breaking their eggs once layed due to deeming them a noisy nuisance.
Shame if true, but for both combined lakes to get 1 Gosling in 3 or so years is a little peculiar.

[tim_noone]

Why does this thread bring to mind the Monty python parrot sketch?

I dont think the swan was stuffed...and also a shame if it had young...

[Somethingfishy]

We walk along that stretch of the canal on our exercise walks (yes we live close by) and had seen the swan on its own by the bridge in Hapton. It was a young adult on its own. It had no mate as yet..which is a small mercy but nevertheless doesn't make it any the less disgusting.

[Somethingfishy]

Swans are heavily mistreated in this country. I've heard of farmers in Norfolk feeding them beefburgers.

How is that mistreating them? Surely it helps them float?

[dsr]

Yes but it was unintentional. I kicked a hedgehog whilst out exercising but it flew into a stream and drowned. I was very shaken up by the whole incident

It flew? I bet that hedgehog was pig sick. All that time it spent learning to fly, when it should have been learning to swim.

[groove]

This is my final post of the day. It's my swan song.

[Somethingfishy]

This is my final post of the day. It's my swan song.

Typical..you come on here..post..then swan off.

[Clarets4me]

According to our letter from Boris in the post today, swanning about is extremely " bad form " under the current circumstances !

[Millertime v1.7]

Lads, wind your necks in yeah

[Bfcboyo]

Killing a Swan, whoever did it we are coming for you, when we find you and bury you up to the neck we are gonna stone your head in from across the canal. Both of your heroin addict parents will be forced to watch as your skull is demolished awaiting their turn for the punishment.

We are the RSPB

[Bfcboyo]

Why does caring about defenceless birds and animals have to be to the exclusion of
human beings ?

More to the point, why does it enrage people sufficiently to criticise those who express concern,
and indeed anger, at such atrocious behaviour ?

By the way, your choice of the word "mentalists" does you no favours and indicates your lack of
empathy.

I prefer people to animals. They taste better, th th th th th th th th th.

[Heathclaret]

Yes but it was unintentional. I kicked a hedgehog whilst out exercising but it flew into a stream and drowned. I was very shaken up by the whole incident

I almost believed your story, but you said “ out exercising “ at that point, I knew it wasn’t true.

[Volvoclaret]

It's only murder if you kill a group of crows.

[Burnley Ace]

Great word.

There is some educational benefit to having pointless internet arguments, after all.

Given some of the pages of Brexit I’m not sure educational benefit is apt!!!!

[Lord Rothbury]

Did you feel a bit of a prick?

No more than usual

[FactualFrank]

It's only murder if you kill a group of crows.

Yes. Two is only an attempted murder.

[dougcollins]

I'm glad they put a picture with the article, I may have become confused with some other gigantic white bird.

[Greenmile]

It's only murder if you kill a group of crows.

Just leave the ravens alone; it’s unkind and you might be accused of conspiracy.

[MACCA]

Went on a nice walk from gannow to hapton on the canal, was lovely to see so many pairs if Canadian gease. Must have been 50-100 within a mile or so.
Some starting to nest on the far side on various stretches of banking.
2 pairs under a bridge on the concrete.

Will be a noisy but beautiful sight in a month or so.

So a swan at Hapton bridge, but it was on it's own so not sure if it's the mate of the one killed, or had a mate on a nest past the hapton bridge.

It's a great walk with some beautiful sights a long the way.

[Bertiebeehead]

This thread keeps making me think of that quiz question. Name a bird with a long neck.

[Volvoclaret]

Naomi Campbell

[Funkydrummer]

This thread keeps making me think of that quiz question. Name a bird with a long neck.

Wasn't that from family fortunes ? I got a list of them somewhere, I'll try and find it sometime.

One I can remember is "A dangerous race"

Under pressure .............. "Arabs"

[Bertiebeehead]

If it’s up there I’ll give you the money myself.