Cumbria police are appealing for information after a pigeon in Barrow was shot and succumbed to its injuries a few days later. 

The bird was discovered injured on a ramp at a multi-storey car park in the town centre close to Portland Walk on Saturday (January 27).

The pigeon was wrapped up by a member of the public and taken into Bardsea Bird Sanctuary where volunteer Elisabeth Ashleigh took a look at the injury.

She said: "We got this poor baby in on Saturday afternoon. The feathers were quite matted and it was hard to see anything at first.

"She wasn't very well but I put her on meds and was force-feeding.

"I did the magnet test which didn't detect a bullet, but I was hoping it may have passed through as the injury was in the crop.

"As there was a distinct hole I didn't rule out lead poisoning.

The Mail: The wound was discovered in the crop of the pigeon"We were on the way to Church Walk Vets on Monday when, unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries and died of internal bleeding and lead poisoning on the way. 

"During the post-mortem, a vet extracted a ball bearing from some kind of shotgun."

Elisabeth says the bird sanctuary has seen an increased number of birds who have been the victim of shootings in the past couple of months.

She and other local animal rescuers have been reporting the incidents to wildlife crime officers.

Elisabeth added: "Who is shooting birds in Barrow? Whoever is doing this is causing needless pain to birds and left this latest pigeon to suffer.

"I urge everybody to keep a look out for any birds you believe may have been shot, or if anyone knows anyone horrible enough to do this, please message the Bardsea Bird Sanctuary Facebook page in confidence."

Cumbria police are appealing for information after the force confirmed it received the report on January 29 at around 11:27am.

Officers conducted inquiries to establish a timescale for when the incident occurred however as of yet, they have not been able to establish a timeframe.

The Mail: A bullet was later extracted during a post-mortem by a vetPolice are now urging the public to help and anyone with information is urged to come forward.

A spokesperson said: "Anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it , quoting incident number 68 of 29 January 2024.

"You can also phone on 101.

"Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."