POLICE are appealing for information after suspecting a pigeon has been killed with an air rifle. 

A resident who contacted Bardsea Bird Sanctuary was concerned that pigeons had been 'dropping out of the sky' in her yard with the latest one discovered dead last week (November 13).

The incidents have been occurring close to Ramsden Street near to the Alfred Barrow Health Centre.

Animal rescuer Rachel Wilson, who also looks after other kinds of animals under the name Rachel's Wildlife, said: "At first when I saw one of the pictures, I thought it might have been a hawk but when I went to investigate the lady told me how it's always in the same area.

"When I examined the bird I looked for injuries, for example if it had multiple injuries it would have been a hawk or a cat. I looked for entrance wounds and thought of another possibility could have been poisoning either accidental, picked up slug pellets etc, or something more sinister and I believed that the bird had been shot.

"The police are taking it very seriously on this one with a potential firearm involved in an urbanised area in particular."

A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said: "Police received a report on November 15 of a pigeon being found dead in the Ramsden Street area of Barrow.

"Enquiries carried out suggest the bird may have been shot with an air rifle.

"Officers have attended and spoken to those with concerns about the incident.

"Anyone who has any information can call officers on 101."

Rachel has also had a call regarding another bird which she suspected had been shot outside Furness Academy on Park Drive just a couple of days ago.

She added: "This obviously raises a number of concerns not just against the cruelty of animals but these are in built-up residential areas.

"Currently, we have had no witnesses come forward, if you do witness anything suspicious let us remind you to not approach them and call the police immediately with any concerns.

"We will be contacting all vets, and continue to update local animal charities and surrounding schools as this is a serious incident."