Shooting a buzzard is an offence, police said. Photo: David Dixon CC-BY-SA-2.0
Police are appealing for information after a buzzard had to be put down after being shot.
The bird was found by a walker at a Scout camp in West Lancashire.
Police believe the raptor, a protected species, was blasted by a shotgun.
Lancashire Constabulary appealed to walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts for any information about suspicious activity around the Tawd Vale Scout Camp at Lowry Hill on Hill Lane in the village of Lathom near Burscough.
A walker found the buzzard on 3 November. It was dragging its wing and the injured bird was taken to a local bird sanctuary, who reported the incident to the police.
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesperson said: “The bird was recovered by PC Mark Thomas, the wildlife crime officer and a representative from Cuerden Birds.
“It was taken to a vet where it was established that it had been shot with what appears to have been a shotgun and, due to its extensive injuries, sadly, it had to be put down.”
PC Thomas said: “Shooting a wild bird is an offence is under the Wildlife and Countryside Act so I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward.
“Although it is a remote spot, it is popular with walkers and so if anyone has been in the area recently and remembers seeing anything at all suspicious then please do get in touch.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police by calling 101.
People can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online. Police said no personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
OutdoorsAndy
13 November 2012The persecution of our Raptors just seems to continue. Its disheartening and it seems there is no easy answer to stopping it.
Its great to see people reporting such finds and does highlight that people are aware of the magnitude of the crime.
But how do we convince the Game shooting fraternity and others of the pointless and destructive nature of this horrendous crime? How do we ween them off pointless killing?
At least on the face of it the police take it seriously.
I also worry that the present government is not at all friendly to wildlife, taking the side of those who wish to use, abuse and kill instead of grow, preserve and share.
Jhimmy
13 November 2012A suggestion years ago in a discussion group mentioned that all shot should be stamped with a code number and when the shooter buys their boxes of ammo, it's recorded down in the shops log who bought it.
I'm not a gunner owner and have never shot one of the damn things, so don't know if it's feasible. But something must be done to protect these and other beautiful birds.