Police are investigating an incident in which a number of ducks were shot, butchered and then discarded near a skatepark. The birds were found by a member of the public in the woodland near the skatepark on Station Road in Calne, Wiltshire.
The breasts of the birds had been removed prior to them being left in the area. An X-ray of the animals suggests that they had been shot with a weapon, police have said.
PCSO Mark Cook, of Wiltshire Police, said: “The Calne Neighbourhood Policing Team have been liaising closely with the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team regarding this matter. Understandably, we are greatly concerned that these ducks have been killed.
“It is unknown at this stage if these ducks had been harmed in Calne or have been transported from another area and left in woodland near to Station Road. Additional patrols have been put in place in the Castlefields Park and Station Road, and we are urging anyone to report any persons seen behaving in a suspicious nature around our waterways.”
A statement from Wiltshire Police said: “We are appealing for witnesses after number of dead ducks were found in Station Road, Calne. The birds were found member of the public on January 3 at approximately 8am in woodland near to the skatepark in Station Road.
“The Wiltshire Rural Crime Team have been investigating the incident after it was discovered that the breasts of the birds had been removed. An X-ray on the birds suggests they had been shot with some form of weapon.
“If you were in the area of Station Road or the Castlefields Park and witnessed anything suspicious or have information that could help with our enquiries, please contact us on 101 quoting reference number 54250000987.”