Further to this morning’s blog about a Peregrine being euthanised after being found with gunshot injuries in Leicestershire (see here), the Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital has released more details and has issued an appeal for information, as follows:
APPEAL FOR INFORMATION
Yesterday we admitted a peregrine falcon that was found grounded in a garden on Smeeton Road, Kibworth.
Our team collected the peregrine and her assessment found that she had been shot [suspected to have been an air rifle]. This could have happened any time between the 21st and 23rd December.
Peregrine falcons are a schedule 1 bird in the UK. It is an illegal act to intentionally harm or kill them.
This crime has been reported to the police and we are now appealing for any information you may have.
Have you seen anything suspicious?
Have you heard any gunshots?
Did you see this crime take place?
If you have ANY information, please contact the police [call 101] on with reference number 25000748549.
The peregrine sadly had to be put to sleep as she was suffering from a severe break to her right humerus – likely as a result of the fall after being shot. She was this years young, from Leicester cathedral, known as X6F (her ring number).
Please share to help find the information needed!
ENDS
Raptor Persecution UK 
It makes one wonder how many more shot birds are out there when they come down away from the public?
Good point. The same applies to poisonings too.
Where does this mindless but malicious brutality stop ? Every week we have news of more persecution of these beautiful and majestic birds .
Gun ownership laws in this country are in real need of updating. Nobody should be allowed any potentially lethal firearm unless they have a job that requires it. The only people that I see who need them, outside of the armed forces, are professional deer stalkers and pest controllers. I don’t believe that farmers or gamekeepers need them. Besides, the amount of criminal activity associated with ownership by those groups should automatically negate them from ownership.
There should also be a much more thorough psychological assessment of anyone who says that they need a firearm, all of which should be paid for by the applicant and all administration costs should be included in the annual licence fee!