Duck rescued after being shot in face with air gun

The duck was wounded after it was shot in the face with an air gun

A duck that was shot in the face with an air gun has been secured by RSPCA officers to allow it to be treated.

Witnesses saw the wild animal get shot at Caldon Canal in Hanley Park, Stoke-on-Trent, on 2 April.

It survived the attack but was left with a large head wound, with officers from the charity attempting to catch it ever since the shooting was reported.

The duck was finally rescued after officers in a boat made progress on 11 April.

It was captured along with another duck with which it had paired and they were both taken to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich.

RSPCA inspector Mick Darling said the duck’s wound had become infected and it was treated with antibiotics.

He said the duck was now doing well and would be rehomed once it had recovered.

The two ducks were caught and taken to a wildlife centre

Mr Darling said: “This simply should not have happened but unfortunately, attacks like this are not uncommon.

“Wildlife is more susceptible to these incidents simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them.”

The RSPCA has called for tighter controls on air guns to be brought in, including basic safety training for buyers before they are allowed to walk out the shop.