Wood pigeon shot with air gun in Bovingdon

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a wood pigeon was shot with an air gun in Bovingdon.

The incident was reported to the RSPCA after a concerned member of the public discovered the wood pigeon with an injured wing on Friday, June 26.

Another wood pigeon, displaying similar injuries was also in need of help and both birds were collected and taken to a vets by RSPCA inspector Simon Hoggett.

Both birds were examined by an independent vet and sadly nothing could be done to save the birds and they were put to sleep to prevent them suffering further.

X-rays of one of the pigeons revealed that they had two air gun pellets in their body.

Inspector Hoggett said: “It is so upsetting to think that someone deliberately targeted this poor bird and to do this is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

“While no pellet was discovered in the other pigeon’s body - given they were both in the same area and had very similar injuries I am suspicious that this bird had also been shot as well and we believe this happened within a month’s timescale.

“I would like to thank the member of the public for doing all they could to help these poor birds.

"The person also reported to me that a third wood pigeon with similar injuries had also been found some six months earlier.

“I am looking into this and I would urge anyone with any information about how these birds came to be harmed to call the RSPCA Inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is illegal to deliberately kill, injure or take wild birds except under licence.

The maximum penalty, if found guilty, is six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

Every year the RSPCA receives almost 1,000 calls to investigate cases like this and help hundreds of animals that are the defenceless victims of air gun attacks.

Cats and wildlife are normally the animals that are more susceptible to these incidents simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them. The injuries caused by such attacks are horrific and often fatal .

The RSPCA is calling for tighter controls on air weapons. This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop, could help relieve the problem.

For more information on what to do if you find an injured wild animal, visit: www.rspca.org.uk.

To make a donation and help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals like these and keep the animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, visit: ww.rspca.org.uk/covid.