A HERON has died after being shot with an air gun in South Cumbria.

RSPCA inspectors were called to rescue the water bird after he was found with a severely broken wing on Helm Road in Bowness on Tuesday morning.

He was rushed into care at Kendal College Animal Rescue Centre. Vets x-rayed the bird and found he had been shot in his right wing with a metal air gun pellet.

The pellet had completely fractured the bird's right humerus and he was so severely injured vets felt the kindest option was to put him to sleep.

RSPCA inspector Will Lamping said: “This poor heron was very distressed and would’ve been in so much pain with a broken wing and the air gun wound.

“Sadly the injury was so severe that vets felt they could not help the bird and he would never recover from his injury.

“Looking at the wound and the timing of the heron being rescued we think it may have happened sometime between Monday night and Wednesday morning.

“The injuries these weapons cause are devastating and it is incredible to think someone would take pleasure in harming an animal in this way and causing it to suffer.

“I would appeal to anybody that knows anything about the incident or has seen anyone with an air rifle in the area in the past couple of days to contact us as soon as possible.”

He added: “Sadly, wild animals and birds are vulnerable to such attacks. We would like to remind people that if someone is caught deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal they can face up to six months in prison and/or a £5,000 fine if they are found guilty under the Wildlife and Countryside Act."

Anyone with information about this incident should contact the RSPCA Inspector Appeal Line on 0300 123 8018.