Rural crime team warning after tawny owl found injured with rifle wound
The discovery was made last month in Northamptonshire
Rural Crime Team officers are appealing for information after a tawny owl was found with a rifle shot wound in woods near Orlingbury.
The injured owl was found in Badsaddle Wood, between Orlingbury and Broughton off the A43, on the afternoon of Monday, April 1.
It was taken to a rescue centre where it sadly died from its injuries.
Like most birds in the UK, tawny owls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to kill, injure or capture a bird and also to damage or destroy their nests.
Officers investigating the incident are appealing for information about sightings of anyone with a rifle in the Badsaddle Wood area.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.