Ban the use of netting on roofs and outdoor structures
Thousands of birds are reported to get trapped in netting yearly, and many may die in pain and fear from the horrific injuries sustained trying to free themselves e.g. breaking their entangled limbs. Others may die of dehydration and starvation and rescuers are too late.
Signatures
17,458
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 17,458/100,000
- 17 APR 2026Government respondedDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsGovernment reply
Anyone using bird netting as a deterrent has a responsibility to check and maintain it to prevent trapping and unnecessary suffering.
Read full response - 24 MAR 202610,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 03 FEB 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Denise Glee Theophilus
Background
We believe Parliament can stop this by banning the netting causing it. The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 places responsibility for maintenance on Property Owners. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 gives trapped wildlife the same protection as domestic animals if trapped after 25 hours. We believe neither are being observed nor enforced.
Specialist equipment is often required to free the birds. Most Organisations/Individuals responsible do not want to pay the cost. Under the Animal Sentience Act 2022, birds are sentient beings that should not be tortured.