Family ruffled by dawn attacks

ALLAN and Ria Sharples, with pet dog Daisy

A SHOCKED Dobcross family returned from holiday to find their house blood stained by a bird-brained attacker.

Allan and Ria Sharples made the bizarre discovery after arriving home — formerly owned by “Coronation Street” actor Michael Le Vell — in Dobcross.

Mr Sharples, a father of three young children, said: “The glass front door was streaked from top to bottom with blood.

“I went round the outside and discovered blood streaks on all the windows around the front and side. And there was a large pool of blood around the side entrance.

“At first, we thought a fox had attacked our chickens and doves, but they were all unharmed.”

The couple cleaned up, but the following morning they discovered fresh blood in the same places as before.

They cleaned up once again and went away for the night to a wedding, only to find more blood when they returned the next day.

Mr Sharples said: “Blood was streaked all over the windows and doors again — in some cases up to 6ft high, well above the reach of a fox or wild animal.”

The mystery was finally solved at dawn the next day when he heard a loud banging on the side door of the house.

He said: “I leapt to my feet and was confronted by the sight of a massive crow with huge wings hammering violently on the windows.

“I discovered these birds are extremely territorial and defend their territory very vigorously.

“The bloodstains were on the side of the house where the sun rises, reflects on the windows and turns them into huge mirrors.

“The bird, seeing its own reflection in the glass, thinks it’s seeing a competitor and goes on the attack. I do not know how he could have left such a large amount of blood without causing himself serious injury.”

Sgt Craig Johnson, based at Uppermill police station, said: “I have never heard of anything like that before in my 30 years on the force .

“Two of my PCSOs visited the house and we are glad the mystery has been solved.”