A duck adopted by a riverside pub is among the victims of a spate of airgun attacks.

Jemima regularly visited the Fordwich Arms at Fordwich and was particularly popular with children who fed her.

But she was recently found floating dead in the water having been shot in the head.

Youths with airguns have been shooting ducks and even a swan on the Stour in the area.

The dead birds have been found by boatmen and people living along the river, who say they have obviously been shot.

Two teenagers, who have been seen several times on the cycle path beside the river with an air rifle, are being blamed for the killings.

The landlord of the Fordwich Arms, Sean O’Donnell, said: “I just can’t understand the mentality of people who do this sort of thing. The ducks and swans are a natural feature of the river and loved by our customers.”

RSPCA spokesman Klare Kennett said ducks and swans were protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and shooting them with airguns could also be classed as causing the birds unecessary suffering.

For full story see this week’s Kentish Gazette, out on Thursday.