Bird rescued from Spalding after horrific crossbow bolt injury

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a duck was shot with a crossbow bolt and taken to the RSPCA centre in East Winch.

The injured bird was collected by the RSPCA on Friday, February 10 from Commercial Road in Spalding.

The duck was taken to the West Norfolk centre where vets managed to remove the bolt and the duck is in a stable condition.

RSPCA inspector Andy Bostock said: 'This was an appalling and cowardly act and it is completely illegal to shoot a duck in this manner.

'Fortunately we were able to collect the bird and take it straight to our wildlife centre so the bolt could be removed, but clearly this duck would have been in a tremendous amount of pain and could have been suffering for a long time before it was rescued.

'We would appeal to anyone who has any information about this shooting to contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.'

Those found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal could face a maximum six-month prison sentence and/or a �20,000 fine.