Racing pigeon injured after going off course

The pigeon was attacked by a cat and took refuge in a kitchen in Congleton

A racing pigeon flying home to Wolverhampton from Truro, Cornwall, diverted to Cheshire and sustained a potentially fatal injury in the process.

Doreen Lacey found the pigeon bleeding and in distress in her kitchen in Congleton, having left her door ajar in the hot weather.

Her daughter Sharon Neild whisked the injured bird to Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital where it received antibiotics.

"My mum knows that I've got a big love for pigeons and any animal in distress," Mrs Neild told BBC Radio Stoke.

Once recovered, the pair managed to trace the owner, whose son was delighted to collect the bird, and return him home safely.

Jane Norton from the wildlife hospital said the women did the right thing bringing the pigeon in for medical attention

"I've never seen so many feathers," described Mrs Lacey, who thought she was seeing things when she returned home from an eye injection.

She discovered the injured pigeon perched on the windowsill above the kitchen counter, with a great deal of bird droppings beneath him.

Mrs Lacey suspected her cat, Phoenix, may have been the culprit of the bird's injury.

Frightful of the chaotic bird but eager to help, she called on her animal-loving daughter.

"Cat's saliva is toxic to pigeons and they do need treatment within the first 48 hours," warned bird lover Mrs Neild.

Staff at Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital in Knutsford were happy to treat the bird and said they would encourage other cat owners to follow Mrs Neild's example.

Using the information on the racing pigeon's tag, the women identified the Wolverhampton-based owner.

The lost bird has been recovering well and the owner hopes he will make another race.

The owner's son, Marcin Weiczorek, said it is great to have the bird back home to be looked after.