Goose injured in crossbow attack

The goose survived the attack

Animal welfare workers have condemned a crossbow attack on a goose, which left it close to death.

The incident in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, is the latest in a series of brutal attacks on wildlife in the North East.

Other recent incidents have seen wild birds shot in nearby Houghton-le-Spring and Washington.

Vets managed to save the bird in the latest attack. It had been wounded in the neck and body.

RSPCA inspectors were called to a farm on Salters Lane in Shotton Colliery on 2 April following a call from a member of the public.

'Targeted cruelty'

When they arrived they found the goose staggering around with a crossbow bolt in its neck and another bolt lodged under its left wing.

RSPCA inspector Graeme Foggin said: "This is a shocking case of deliberate, targeted cruelty.

"I can barely imagine the suffering this goose endured.

"Thankfully the bird will make a full recovery, though the outcome could have been much more tragic.

"Attacks of this kind are becoming more and more common and we're only seeing and treating a small percentage of those that are affected.

"A lot of injured animals will simply hide away to die painful and lingering deaths alone."