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Goose put down after being shot
A GOOSE had to be put down after it was shot with an air rifle at Stanborough Lakes on Tuesday morning.
The feral goose, a white breed known as ebden, was found at about 7.30am, and rescued from the water by RSPCA inspector Kate Cornell after a struggle lasting more than two hours.
She took it to a local vet, who decided after an hour-long operation that the pellet had shattered the ear canal and it would not recover.
Ms Cornell said: "This goose would have suffered a huge amount of pain and distress.
"It is about time that people stopped breaking the law by using animals and birds as targets for air weapons."
The goose is thought to have been shot shortly before a passer-by called the RSPCA that morning.
The association is caring for another goose found nearby with a lump and blood on its head which may also have been shot with an air rifle.
It is calling for anyone with information to call in confidence on 0300 1234 999.
Anyone found guilty of injuring or killing a wild bird could face a six-month prison sentence and a £5,000 fine under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with a fine of £20,000 possible for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
What punishment should the yobs who shot this goose face, it caught? Tell us below.
11:24am Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: SURICATE, WGC on 2:16pm Thu 20 Mar 08
The Yobs who shoot any animal with a firearm should be prosecuted by the CPS and the Police as it is a firearms offence. It should not be prosecuted by the RSPCA. All very well deleting the truth Mr Media but you are in affect just as bad when you bury the facts.
The Yobs who shoot any animal with a firearm should be prosecuted by the CPS and the Police as it is a firearms offence. It should not be prosecuted by the RSPCA. All very well deleting the truth Mr Media but you are in affect just as bad when you bury the facts.
Posted by: Jennifer, St. Albans on 3:41pm Thu 20 Mar 08
I am a huge animal lover and it makes me sick when I hear things such as this. What is wrong with the human race? How anyone could injure/kill a defenceless animal or bird is beyond me. They need their head examining. I hate these yobs and they should be shot themselves. Why aren't there stronger laws to protect animals. If they shot a human then they'd be in prison. The same should be when they hurt animals.
I am a huge animal lover and it makes me sick when I hear things such as this. What is wrong with the human race? How anyone could injure/kill a defenceless animal or bird is beyond me. They need their head examining. I hate these yobs and they should be shot themselves. Why aren't there stronger laws to protect animals. If they shot a human then they'd be in prison. The same should be when they hurt animals.
Posted by: angry, uxbridge on 6:42pm Thu 20 Mar 08
the laws for air guns are all wrong any yob can get one as my neighbour has one and uses his in his back garden with his kids playing around him and i constantly worry about my cats.gun of any kind should be banned except at gun clubs then these problems wouldnt arise.the laws for animal cruelty should be tougher still and the hard truth is if you do shoot a human the punishment still does not fit the crime
the laws for air guns are all wrong any yob can get one as my neighbour has one and uses his in his back garden with his kids playing around him and i constantly worry about my cats.gun of any kind should be banned except at gun clubs then these problems wouldnt arise.the laws for animal cruelty should be tougher still and the hard truth is if you do shoot a human the punishment still does not fit the crime
Posted by: SURICATE, WGC on 8:10pm Thu 20 Mar 08
You are missing the very important point that the prosecution of gun related crimes and airguns are defined as firearms should be dealt with by the CPS and the Police, not an animal charity. Too much is passed by this Government into the private sector. Remember for every pound donated to a charity is a pound less this Labour Government has to spend.
You are missing the very important point that the prosecution of gun related crimes and airguns are defined as firearms should be dealt with by the CPS and the Police, not an animal charity. Too much is passed by this Government into the private sector. Remember for every pound donated to a charity is a pound less this Labour Government has to spend.
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