A FORMER shepherd who rescued a dehydrated buzzard from the wild, abandoned it at his Codford home after an argument with his girlfriend, a court heard.

Mark Potter, 27, of no fixed abode, appeared before North West Wiltshire Magistrates' Court in Trowbridge on Thursday and pleaded guilty to leaving the buzzard without an adequate supply of food and water.

Only last month Mr Potter, who is now employed as a forestry worker, was found guilty at Salisbury Magistrates' Court of failing to provide a flock of sheep he was tending with an adequate supply of food and water.

Banned from keeping livestock for ten years, Potter was also found guilty of leaving dead sheep on fields at Fishton de la Mere and Deptford Manor Farm.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said Potter had rescued the young buzzard after spotting it injured on a road, but had left it at his home after a row with his girlfriend.

He said Potter saw that the bird was unable to fly and took it home in a box, keeping it in an outhouse at his home.

Mr Meeke said: "He gave his girlfriend no instructions on how to deal with the bird. She reported the matter to the RSPCA and they came and took the bird away."

The bird was taken to an animal sanctuary where it had to be treated for dehydration and hunger.

Mr Meeke added: "It was found to be emaciated and in a weak condition but not injured and it had to be force-fed as it was too weak and unable to pick up food on its own for four days.

Paul Butler, defending, said the bird would have died anyway if Potter had not rescued it from the road.

He said: "It was likely it would have died and very likely it would have been run over. He could be forgiven now for wishing he had left it there.

Mr Butler said Potter was unable to give the bird food at the time as it needed dead chicks for a sustainable diet.

He added: "He could have given it water and he accepts that he didn't immediately."

After an argument with his girlfriend, the court heard Potter left the house, fearing that a previous order denying him access to his children meant that he had to stay away from the house.

The magistrates adjourned the case until November 23 to allow pre-sentence reports to be compiled.