Bird "left for dead" found with wings tied in Surrey
The incident has been reported to the police
Last updated 29th Sep 2020
A Surrey animal charity is appealing for help after a bird was found with its wings tied and several injuries including a shot wound.
Wildlife Aid Foundation said the pigeon had been "tortured" and "left for dead" by the side of the road in Leatherhead.
It said its wings were bound with an elastic band, its leg was broken, its tail feathers had been removed and it had been shot in the side with a bearing from a catapult.
A member of the public found it last week Friday (25 September) and took it to the rescue centre, which is based in the town, but vets were unable to save it and had to put it to sleep.
Charity CEO Simon Cowell said: "It's not often that we are left speechless, but this left everyone at the centre upset and shocked. "The suffering this poor animal endured was horrific. It had sustained multiple traumatic injuries and sadly had to be put to sleep.
"What makes it even worse is that when we examined it post-mortem, we found its crop was full of fresh bread, implying it had been baited deliberately by someone.
"It really is beyond words that someone would do this, and it has already been reported as a wildlife crime."
He is urging locals who might have noticed any unusual activity in the area that day to contact the police, quoting reference P20224924.
Surrey Police has confirmed the incident has been reported.
In a statement, the force said: "Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird. Under general licences issued by DEFRA, there are some exemptions relating to the control of wild birds, but we do not believe this was what was intended on this occasion.
"The treatment of this pigeon appears to be a callous act of cruelty, and our wildlife crime officers are reviewing the report to see if there are any investigative opportunities which can be followed up."