MORE than 300 wild animals and birds have been seized from Irish homes and farms in the past five years.

In many cases, the trapped animals were already dead, but if still alive were released into the wild or given to Dublin Zoo.

In one of the most recent cases, two dead deer were seized from a house in Co Donegal and a prosecution file is being prepared against the man involved.

Last December, a raid on premises in Co Offaly by inspectors from the National Parks and Wildlife Service uncovered four goldfinches, two bullfinches, a robin and a sparrow.

Other seizures last year involved rooks, hares, and the discovery of a military macaw in Co Laois.

In one of the largest finds, 10 linnets, eight greenfinchs, 17 siskin birds, eight redpoll and a goldfinch were found at a property in Cork.

The state took a successful prosecution against the person involved, but it was later appealed on the grounds of severity of sentence.

The previous year, 10 hares – believed to have been used in blooding greyhounds – were discovered in a house in Co Tipperary and released into the wild.

In a seizure shortly before that, 21 birds, including linnets, finches and bramblings, were taken from a house in Dublin.

Eleven of the birds, which were being kept in atrocious conditions, died before inspectors had a chance to examine them.

A case against the person involved was successful, the Department of the Environment said.

In another case, 34 wild birds were taken from a house in Co Westmeath, including 30 wood pigeons, two rooks and two jackdaws.

The case against the home owner was subsequently withdrawn and the state was forced to pay out €11,500 in costs to the defendant.

During a series of raids in 2007, more than two dozen kakarikis were taken at properties in Co Laois.

Of the birds seized by wildlife inspectors, three subsequently died while 12 were returned to their owners.

An earlier raid in Laois had also seen more than 30 birds seized, including goldfinch, yellowhammer, bullfinch and a military macaw.

All of the birds – except for the military macaw, which was taken to Dublin Zoo – were released into the wild by the National Park and Wildlife Service.

Other animals also seized by inspectors include three mallard ducks and a number of scarlet macaws.