A cloud of uncertainty has lifted over Auchingarrich Wildlife Park in Comrie following an announcement from Police Scotland that no further action will be taken regarding allegations of animal cruelty. The investigation, which began in July, centered on claims made by the park’s former manager that seven turkeys under his care had been brutally killed with a stick.
This resolution marks the second police inquiry involving the popular Perthshire attraction to conclude without charges. Previously, officers investigated theft claims initiated by the park against its former manager, Kevin Campbell, but found no evidence to support these accusations.
Speaking after the police statement, Alexa Reid, a spokeswoman for Auchingarrich, conveyed her profound relief at the outcome. She described the period as challenging, highlighting how ‘one individual’s malicious actions can lead to the spread of falsehoods that threaten to undermine a business and damage someone’s reputation.’ Reid underscored the wider repercussions of such allegations, not just for those directly involved, but also for the park’s dedicated employees, its loyal visitors, and the broader community in and around Comrie. She emphatically reiterated the park’s deep commitment and care for all the animals residing within its enclosures.
However, the matter does not rest entirely. Kevin Campbell, the former manager, has indicated his intention to lodge a formal complaint against the police regarding their handling of the entire investigation, stating, ‘I will not let this go.’ A Period of Scrutiny for the Perthshire Attraction
The recent police investigations are the latest in a series of controversies that have engulfed Auchingarrich Wildlife Park since Alexa Reid and her partner Rob Matthews assumed ownership in 2022. The park, a significant local employer and visitor draw in the scenic Perthshire landscape, has faced considerable public scrutiny.
One of the earliest and most emotionally charged incidents involved the park’s pet cemetery. Animal lovers, who had previously purchased burial plots for their beloved companions from the former owners, were dismayed when it emerged in the summer of the following year that memorials had been removed. The land, cherished by many families as a final resting place for their pets, was repurposed as a grazing paddock, causing deep upset and prompting protests from within the local community, including many from Perth and the surrounding villages.
Later that same year, in November, another incident captured local headlines when Harris, a stag residing at the park, mysteriously vanished. Allegations of deliberate sabotage circulated, with claims that a perimeter fence had been intentionally cut. This prompted an outpouring of concern from the Perth and Kinross public, leading to a significant online fundraiser. Local residents and animal welfare advocates collectively donated thousands of pounds to support the park’s efforts to enhance security measures and repair fencing, demonstrating the strong community ties and concern for animal welfare in the region.
Earlier this year, the park again found itself in the spotlight when The Courier revealed that a volunteer, Liam Fair, had a past conviction for animal cruelty and was prohibited from owning animals. This revelation raised serious questions and generated considerable discussion among the Perth and Kinross community about vetting processes at local animal attractions. Subsequently, Mr. Fair was convicted for a ‘violent and sustained’ assault on his former girlfriend, for which he was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and given a non-harassment order when he appeared in court this week.
Adding to the challenges, Auchingarrich was also subject to an investigation stemming from suspicions that a visitor had contracted E.coli while at the park earlier in the year, further intensifying the period of intense public scrutiny.
Throughout these multiple incidents, Ms. Reid has consistently and robustly defended Auchingarrich Wildlife Park and its operational integrity. In a statement released in September, the park affirmed its position, stating: ‘Auchingarrich is subject to rigorous oversight by local authorities and animal welfare bodies.’ The statement highlighted a recent successful comprehensive zoo licence inspection, conducted by experienced zoo inspectors, local authority veterinarians, and animal welfare experts, which resulted in the issuance of a new licence for the facility. The park emphasised its ‘commitment to transparency’ and pledged full cooperation with any official investigations. It also expressed gratitude to its many supporters for their unwavering backing ‘as we navigate these false allegations with integrity and resolve,’ a sentiment that resonates strongly with its local patrons.
This resolution marks the second police inquiry involving the popular Perthshire attraction to conclude without charges. Previously, officers investigated theft claims initiated by the park against its former manager, Kevin Campbell, but found no evidence to support these accusations.
Speaking after the police statement, Alexa Reid, a spokeswoman for Auchingarrich, conveyed her profound relief at the outcome. She described the period as challenging, highlighting how ‘one individual’s malicious actions can lead to the spread of falsehoods that threaten to undermine a business and damage someone’s reputation.’ Reid underscored the wider repercussions of such allegations, not just for those directly involved, but also for the park’s dedicated employees, its loyal visitors, and the broader community in and around Comrie. She emphatically reiterated the park’s deep commitment and care for all the animals residing within its enclosures.
However, the matter does not rest entirely. Kevin Campbell, the former manager, has indicated his intention to lodge a formal complaint against the police regarding their handling of the entire investigation, stating, ‘I will not let this go.’ A Period of Scrutiny for the Perthshire Attraction
The recent police investigations are the latest in a series of controversies that have engulfed Auchingarrich Wildlife Park since Alexa Reid and her partner Rob Matthews assumed ownership in 2022. The park, a significant local employer and visitor draw in the scenic Perthshire landscape, has faced considerable public scrutiny.
One of the earliest and most emotionally charged incidents involved the park’s pet cemetery. Animal lovers, who had previously purchased burial plots for their beloved companions from the former owners, were dismayed when it emerged in the summer of the following year that memorials had been removed. The land, cherished by many families as a final resting place for their pets, was repurposed as a grazing paddock, causing deep upset and prompting protests from within the local community, including many from Perth and the surrounding villages.
Later that same year, in November, another incident captured local headlines when Harris, a stag residing at the park, mysteriously vanished. Allegations of deliberate sabotage circulated, with claims that a perimeter fence had been intentionally cut. This prompted an outpouring of concern from the Perth and Kinross public, leading to a significant online fundraiser. Local residents and animal welfare advocates collectively donated thousands of pounds to support the park’s efforts to enhance security measures and repair fencing, demonstrating the strong community ties and concern for animal welfare in the region.
Earlier this year, the park again found itself in the spotlight when The Courier revealed that a volunteer, Liam Fair, had a past conviction for animal cruelty and was prohibited from owning animals. This revelation raised serious questions and generated considerable discussion among the Perth and Kinross community about vetting processes at local animal attractions. Subsequently, Mr. Fair was convicted for a ‘violent and sustained’ assault on his former girlfriend, for which he was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and given a non-harassment order when he appeared in court this week.
Adding to the challenges, Auchingarrich was also subject to an investigation stemming from suspicions that a visitor had contracted E.coli while at the park earlier in the year, further intensifying the period of intense public scrutiny.
Throughout these multiple incidents, Ms. Reid has consistently and robustly defended Auchingarrich Wildlife Park and its operational integrity. In a statement released in September, the park affirmed its position, stating: ‘Auchingarrich is subject to rigorous oversight by local authorities and animal welfare bodies.’ The statement highlighted a recent successful comprehensive zoo licence inspection, conducted by experienced zoo inspectors, local authority veterinarians, and animal welfare experts, which resulted in the issuance of a new licence for the facility. The park emphasised its ‘commitment to transparency’ and pledged full cooperation with any official investigations. It also expressed gratitude to its many supporters for their unwavering backing ‘as we navigate these false allegations with integrity and resolve,’ a sentiment that resonates strongly with its local patrons.