A vet is fearful of attacks on pets after a duck was shot in Faversham and had to be put down.

Trevor Munro told of his concern after the mallard was hit in the neck with a pellet on Stonebridge Pond.

It was found by a member of the public, who spotted it circling in the water following the malicious attack.

It had been wounded in the neck and was paralysed on one side of its body.

After wading into the pond the man then rushed the duck to nearby Faversham Vets in South Road, where Mr Munro was forced to put the bird down.

He said: “We had to put it down on welfare grounds.

“It had been paralysed from the wound and had blood pouring out of its neck.
“It was just a senseless act – a really unfortunate incident.”

A group of young boys were spotted nearby shortly before the incident.

And Mr Munro fears there is a danger those who carried out the cruelty could strike again.

He added: “It is like someone going over your fence and shooting your cat. And that would be the worry.

“It could be someone’s cat next or even a human.

“From the size of the metal bullet you are talking about a serious weapon. People do these things maliciously but we were able to humanely let it go before it suffered any more.”

It is thought the injury was caused by a catapult.

The RSPCA has condemned the attack and asks anyone who has concerns about allegations of animal cruelty or neglect to contact them on 0300 1234 999.

RSPCA spokesman Andy Robbins said: “It is very concerning to hear allegations of such deliberate cruelty as this, and so we would be interested to hear from anybody who may have more information.”