Village's beloved peacock put down after being found 'riddled' with air gun pellets
A popular Shropshire village peacock beloved by residents has had to be put down after being found 'riddled' with pellets from an air gun.
The RSPCA is urging people with information to come forward following what it called a "senseless and appalling act of cruelty" after the peacock was found in the village of Hinstock, near Market Drayton.
The animal charity has also released X-rays of the peacock, which was shot six times with pellets lodged in its leg and several other areas following the shooting.
RSPCA animal rescue officer John Groarke attended the scene after the injured bird was found in a field in Hatton Road on January 28 by a local resident.
The peacock was rushed to the animal welfare charity’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Hospital in Cheshire for treatment, where X-rays revealed an airgun pellet had completely shattered its left leg.
