April 9, 2008 16:32

Mark E Smith facing RSPCA over squirrel cruelty The Fall Tickets

The Fall legend killed squirrels that were eating his fence

The Fall's Mark E Smith is facing investigation by the RSCPA following comments that he killed 'a couple' of squirrels who were eating his garden fence.

In the interview with NME's sister magazine Uncut, Smith also states that he doesn't have a problem with running over seagulls.

The RSPCA's spokesperson Klare Kennett, believing Smith was referring to the rare red squirrel species, told the Daily Mail: "The comments made by Mark E Smith are extremely irresponsible and he has basically admitted to committing an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act by killing two red squirrels.

"These animals are highly protected and anyone killing, harming or taking red squirrels from the wild is liable to prosecution and can face up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £20,000.

"If he is getting confused and talking about grey squirrels, then killing them without a good reason - eating food put out for them is not a good reason - could also be an offence under certain circumstances."

When interviewer Ben Marshall told Smith his father runs over seagulls, the singer replied: "Heh, heh, heh. Quite fucking right. I don't have a problem with that."

Animal rights group Peta2 also attacked the singer's attitude towards squirrels, declaring: “Nothing says inferiority complex like a fully grown man harming a defenceless animal who weighs only a few ounces and whose only defence is to run away. Animals have the same capacity to feel fear and pain that humans do, of course, and they should have the right not to be cruelly attacked and killed by a has-been singer. PETA strongly advises that Mark seek help for his anger issues before anyone else gets hurt and hopes the court throws the book at him.”

The Fall are set to release their 28th studio album 'Imperial Wax Solvent' on April 24.

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