Beware the guard bird: Jack the parrot launches savage attack and scares off gang of thieves



A parrot is being hailed a hero after it fought off a gang of thieves when they targeted a pet shop.

The exotic bird pecked and scratched the thugs as they tried to make off with thousands of pounds worth of exotic animals in the early hours of this morning.

Jack the Sun Conure parrot's attack was so ferocious that he had pieces of ripped clothing and blood on his beak - and his feathers covered Hobday's pet shop in Coventry.

Hero: Jack the parrot took lumps out of the thieves and scared them off. DNA specialists may still be able to catch the robbers

Police believe the 11-month-old bird panicked and went on the offensive after the thieves tried to pull him from his cage.

Officers say Jack's heroics could help them trace the thieves through DNA evidence left at the scene.

Despite Jack's attack, up to three thieves still managed to steal three snakes and an exotic bird.

Caroline Hobday, 49, who runs the store with her husband Andrew, 52, said: 'We couldn't believe it when we got into work in the morning.

'There was blood all over the shop and Jack was perched on top of his cage squawking like mad.

'All the evidence looks like he scared the thieves away and spent the rest of the night patrolling and protecting the other animals like a guard dog.

'Jack is a feisty young bird and is fiercely protective over the other birds in the shop.

'Proud': Pet shop owner Caroline Hobday was greeted with a trail of blood and feathers when she arrived at work - and thanks to Jack, she's not missing more exotic animals

'We often let him fly around for exercise so he knows his way around.

'He must have given the thieves a hell of a nip because his beak is like a razor and his talons are very sharp too.

'We're very proud of him - without his actions we would have lost thousands of pounds more animals.

'The policeman told us that the blood at the scene belonged to the thieves and Jack probably scared the intruders off.

'There was a lot of blood so Jack must have really pecked them and clawed them hard.'

A trail of blood from the thieves and feathers from Jack were discovered leading to the back door where the thieves fled in agony.

Mother-of-two Caroline added: 'We think there must have been at least two or three thieves.

'It was an organised raid because they ripped out the burglar alarm and targeted the most expensive animals in the shop.'

Shockingly, the thieves, who stole three corn snakes worth £300 and a £250 Rosella parrot, also killed several fish by stamping on them.

They also ripped off the tail of a lizard and hurled bottles at the bird cages and turtle tanks.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: 'Blood was found at the scene and forensic officers will be using this as part of the investigation into this burglary.

'Jack proved to be a very effective guard bird.'