AN injured pigeon had to be put down after its wing was shot with an air rifle in Dudley.

The bird was collected by the RSCPA after a member of the public spotted the pigeon fall on Elwell Crescent in Dudley on May 20.

RSCPA investigator Vicki Taylor took the injured bird to Birmingham Animal Hospital where an x-ray revealed an air rifle pellet had shattered the pigeon's wing.

Sadly, vets had to euthanise the animal when it was clear there was little chance of recovery.

Vicki Taylor said: "A member of the public contacted us after they saw the pigeon fall from above and hit the fence on the way down. When I collected the pigeon I could see that he had a badly injured wing.

“I took him to our Birmingham Animal Hospital and an x-ray showed that he had an air rifle pellet which had completely shattered the wing. Sadly he was in a bad way and the vet made the difficult decision to euthanise the bird as there was little chance of recovery."

The RSPCA have now launched an appeal to help find the person responsible for the shooting.

Vicki added: "It is so sad that someone has thought it is completely acceptable to target an innocent bird like this when it is far from acceptable. Sadly we deal with more than 1,000 incidents a year of animals being targeted by people with air rifles, which is cruel and inhumane.

“I am appealing for anyone who has any information to get in touch with us, in complete confidence, on 0300 123 8018 so we can look into this further.”