Peacock shot with cross bow

BY LAURA HANNAM

peacock

(There is no sound on this video.)

A peacock was nearly killed when it was shot with a cross bow.

The young bird was rushed to a vet by an RSPCA inspector after its owners discovered it punctured with a 12 inch bolt.

The male peacock was shot while roaming in the grounds of a property in Astwood Road, Cranfield, where it has been kept with another bird for four months.

RSPCA inspector Dave Braybrooke was called at around 1pm on Monday and took it to Walnut Tree Veterinary Hospital for emergency treatment.

The bolt had pierced six inches into the peacock's hind quarters.

Mr Braybrooke said: "It would have caused the bird an immense amount of pain.

"It could quite easily have killed it if it had been hit properly.

"Its outrageous, why somebody would want to shoot a peacock with a cross bow bolt is completely beyond me, much the same as shooting cats with air rifles.

"It may have been because they are noisy - the males tend to crow and make a bit of a row at an early hour.

"Or somebody may have just decided, there's a peacock I'm going to have a crack at is because I can't hit a sparrow."

He added that this incident is the first of its kind he has dealt with in the Milton Keynes area.

He said: "If anyone saw someone shoot it let us know as it is an offence and the RSPCA will prosecute."

The peacock's wound was stitched up and it is expected to recover.

If you have any information about the incident call 0300 1234 999.