RSPCA staff in Nantwich have hit out at “deliberate cruelty” after treating a jackdaw which had been shot in the windpipe.
Vets at Stapeley Grange on London Road tried to save the life of a jackdaw which was rescued by the RSPCA.
The bird was found to have been suffering for two weeks after being shot in his windpipe.
A member of the public had found the bird struggling to fly near the village of No Man’s Heath, Cheshire.
There were no obvious injuries, so the bird was taken to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich.
Vet Teresa Vicens-Prohens x-rayed the bird and found a pellet was lodged in the centre of his body.
The entry wound where the pellet entered the body had healed, indicating he had been shot around 14 days earlier.
Teresa said: “Sadly, this meant that the jackdaw has likely been struggling to eat for two weeks and as a result he became weaker and weaker.
“Because of the location of the pellet he was also struggling to flap his wings and was unable to fly.”
The decision was made to put the bird to sleep to prevent further suffering.
“It is very distressing to think that people take pleasure in causing harm to Britain’s wildlife,” added Teresa.
“These are deliberate acts of cruelty and we would appeal to people’s consciences not to commit these offences.”
All wild birds, including jackdaws, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to kill, injure or take them without a licence.
The maximum penalty, if found guilty, is six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
If you see an animal in distress you can ring the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.
Anyone who wants to support the work of Stapeley Grange can donate online at www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/rspcahq/stapeleygrange
Recent Comments