Protected owl dies after being shot in woods

Tawny owls (stock image) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

An owl has died after it was shot in the woods with a rifle.

The tawny owl was found injured in Badsaddle Wood near Orlingbury, Northamptonshire, on Monday and taken to a rescue centre, but it later died from its injuries.

The birds are protected under UK law, which makes it illegal to kill, injure or capture them.

Police have appealed for more information.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: "Like most birds in the UK, tawny owls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to kill, injure or capture a bird and also to damage or destroy their nests.

"Officers investigating the incident are appealing for information about sightings of anyone with a rifle in the Badsaddle Wood area."