ONE of the few remaining goshawks in the UK had to be put down after being shot in the head in Brockweir.

The bird was taken to the Vale Wildlife Hospital in Beckford near Tewkesbury after it was found by the homeowner in a garden last Thursday (April 21).

It is thought the bird was attacked by a cat after it was injured and the extent of its injuries meant it had to be humanely euthanased.

Sergeant Simon Clemett, of Gloucestershire Police, said: Incidents of this nature are completely unacceptable and we are eager to trace the person responsible for this cruel and thoughtless crime.

“Goshawks are Schedule One protected birds as there may be as few as 400 to 500 left in the UK.

“Police will be working closely with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and local raptor groups in order to fully investigate this offence and to prevent this from happening again.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 quoting incident 184 of Monday, April 25 or the RSPCA on 0300 124 999 quoting 2259/16.

Information can aso be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by e-mail to www.crimestoppers-uk.org.