Cruel gardener destroys native bird with his lawnmower before dumping the animal’s body in a bin

A gardener was caught gutting a native bird with scissors before dumping the poor animal’s body in a bin.

Disturbing footage shows the lawn maintenance worker approaching the plover that was relaxing in the front garden of a home in Beresford, in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.

He then turns on his lawnmower and takes aim at the bird, which had spread its wings to defend itself.

The animal tries to escape, but it is too late, as its wings become trapped in the device, sending a column of feathers into the air.

The gardener then climbs on top of the flailing bird and appears to kill it with a stomp before dumping the bird’s remains into a bin.

The resident who posted the images online contacted the RSPCA.

The owner said he had warned the gardener about the plover, which had been nesting, before work began on November 14 last year.

“He texted to say he was coming the next day and we told him there was a plover nesting there and to stay off that side,” the upset owner wrote.

The gardener then climbs on top of the flailing bird and appears to kill it with a stomp before dumping the bird’s remains into a bin.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is investigating.

“The NPWS is aware of this incident and has been working with the RSPCA on the criminal investigation,” a spokesperson said.

“The images online are shocking and extremely disturbing.”

Harming a native animal is a crime that carries a maximum penalty of a $14,000 fine.