By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:51 PM on 8th February 2012
Villagers in Wootton, Staffordshire, are being terrorised by an unpleasant pheasant.
The attacks are so aggressive that the postman – more used to attacks from dogs – has even armed himself with a stick on his rounds.
But nearby experts say the best way of pacifying the bird, who has been nicknamed George, would be to feed him raisins soaked in rum.
Aggressive: ‘George’ confronts a local newspaper reporter investigating reports of his aggressive ways
The feisty pheasant spends his days chasing off intruders – including the village’s unfortunate postman, who now carries a stick while doing his rounds.
The pheasant has been nicknamed ‘George’ by artists Simon Manby and Lee Mackay, who run Forge Farm Studio in the village and have to suffer regular confrontations with the bird.
Mr Manby, who was left nursing a bleeding hand after one altercation with George, said: ‘He doesn’t really frighten me, because he doesn’t bite – he just pecks. And he doesn’t like it if I walk through our gateway before him.
Territorial: George has caused the local postman to carry a stick on his rounds
‘We first started to notice him a couple of weeks ago when the postman started arriving with a stick in his hand. He’s more scared of George than he is of dogs.
‘He’s not here all the time but it’s every day. I think he must be roosting somewhere nearby and most of the time he sits guarding the place on a sign at the bottom of our garden.’
Ashbourne Field Club member Mike Gadsby, who helps at pheasant shoots in Okeover and Ednaston, said he’s not surprised to hear of George and his territorial tendencies, as it is nearing breeding season, due around February or March.
Unpleasant: The pheasant may be aggressive, because he is nearing his breeding season
Wounded: Simon Manby shows off the result of George’s attentions
He said: ‘Males do get very territorial and aggressive and will often peck at you. They can make a mess actually.
‘We get them at Okeover and even get the odd one or two that chase the gamekeepers on their quads, or jump up at them.
‘He could well have hens nearby in a harem and if he has, and he’s got somewhere to roost, he could well choose to stay in Wootton – but he might calm down once he’s taken his aggressions out on the hens.’
Mr Gadsby has also recommended a tried and tested way of pacifying George – by feeding him raisins that have been soaked in rum.
He said: ‘It gets them drunk and then you can catch them and take them elsewhere.’
Share this article:
Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.
The comments below have not been moderated.
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
I HAVE A SLOW COOKER WITH CARROTS+ONIONS IT CAN LAY IN Lol
Report abuse
Beautiful plumage! Hopefully not an ex pheasant for a long time to come.
Report abuse
If he is harming people (could harm a kid) use an umbrella and once he gets close, open it in front of him, should scare the living bageezas out of him, then he will back off.
Report abuse
Real-life angry bird.
Report abuse
HE USED TO BE A PHEASANT PLUCKER
Report abuse
Needs pacifying with a dose of 5 shot
Report abuse
Iprefer to shoot wildlife with my camera, not a gun. Its much more satisfying.
Report abuse
Nothing a .410 wouldn’t fix!… Doug, Harlow, 08/2/2012 17:44
The only way is the Essex boys way! Wouldn’t be much left after the kiss of a .410!
Report abuse
Neck it.
Report abuse
Send in the pheasant plucker.
Report abuse
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Related posts:
Views: 0