Bird of prey put to sleep after being found shot in North Yorkshire countryside

Police in North Yorkshire are investigating after a bird of prey was found shot.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust handout of a buzzard. Picture: Amy LewisYorkshire Wildlife Trust handout of a buzzard. Picture: Amy Lewis
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust handout of a buzzard. Picture: Amy Lewis

The buzzard was found with a broken wing by a walker on a public footpath near Kirkby Malzeard.

The bird was taken to a vet and a subsequent x-ray found it had a shotgun pellet in its shoulder. Sadly, its injuries were too severe to be treated and it had to be put to sleep.

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Officers are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed, or who has information on the shooting, following the bird's discovery on April 13.

X-ray of the buzzard found shot near Kirkby Malzeard in North YorkshireX-ray of the buzzard found shot near Kirkby Malzeard in North Yorkshire
X-ray of the buzzard found shot near Kirkby Malzeard in North Yorkshire

It comes as police and conservationists urge for tougher penalties and deterrents for those who persecute birds of prey, with North Yorkshire one of the worst spots for incidents.

Inspector Matt Hagen, who is Head of North Yorkshire Police's Rural Taskforce, told The Yorkshire Post: “These crimes are very difficult to investigate because they happen in isolated places and there is often no one around to witness them."

Buzzards, along with all wild birds, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is a criminal offence to kill or injure any wild bird.