Landlords and social housing providers should be required to treat trapped birds as an emergency hazard. Property owners would then be legally required to provide immediate access and urgent help to rescue birds stuck down chimneys or behind fires, ensuring these animals receive timely attention.

Every year, birds fall down chimneys or get stuck behind fireplaces. Because this is not legally classed as a housing hazard, landlords and social housing providers are not obligated to act quickly or grant immediate property access to wildlife rescue teams. Tenants can face delays, leaving helpless birds to suffer and die from starvation or dehydration. We need legislation to make trapping an emergency hazard, which would force housing providers to allow swift rescue access and save lives.