Footage of a gamekeeper killing wild birds with a stick in a cage on an estate in Strathspey has been released by an animal welfare charity.
They put the incident on line because they were so angered that no prosecution is to take place despite it being caught on camera.
Crown Counsel prosecutors decided that evidence submitted by a field officer for OneKind, formerly known as Advocates for Animals, was inadmissible.
In their judgement, the OneKind worker’s presence on the estate – understood to be Glenlochy Moor by Cromdale – amounted to surveillance.
In one previous wildlife case that caused a court to reject evidence from witnesses.
OneKind has maintained that the field officer was on the land gathering material for educational purposes unrelated to the incident involving crows.
They said their staff member had witnessed the killings by chance.
Libby Anderson, acting chief executive of OneKind, said: "Wildlife crime is an increasing and serious issue and this decision can only send out the wrong message about cruelty to our wild birds and animals."
The Scottish Gamekeepers Association said that the individual involved in the case is not a member of the organisation.
When pressed for a further response, SGA Chairman Alex Hogg said: "The SGA adheres to best practice when it comes to dispatching animals in legal traps and this information is distributed to members.
"Welfare is the key issue and the animal should be dispatched as quickly and humanely as possible."
The incident is the latest in a series relating to the persecution of birds on local estates.
• The incident, which some people may find upsetting, can be viewed on the OneKind web channel at – http://www.tinyurl.com/7c8ujc4.
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