Fighting birds from Pakistan smuggled into Leeds airport

A total of nine Grey Francolin birds, native to South Asia and often bred for fighting, were discovered on two separate occasions this month.

Each time, the birds had been hidden inside suitcases belonging to passengers arriving at the airport from the Pakistani capital Islamabad.

Sam Bullimore, Border Force assistant director at the airport, said: “These were astonishing smuggling attempts, of a kind we have not seen before at Leeds Bradford.

“Our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, but were surprised when they realised just what the passengers were smuggling.

“It is vitally important that unregulated attempts to bring livestock into the UK are stopped - to protect the health of both animals and humans and to prevent animal cruelty.”

The birds had been placed in individual wooden cages inside the suitcases.

Information has been passed to Leeds City Council who are now carrying out an investigation.

Anyone with information about suspected smuggling should call 0800 59 5000.