An animal lover fears thugs responsible for shooting birds with air rifles may target people next.

Ray Allibone, who runs Swampy’s Wildlife Rescue, has been contacted by people bringing in seriously injured birds with two – a magpie and a pigeon – in one week alone.

This brings the yearly total to seven.

Warning: graphic image below

Although he cannot be sure all of the wounded creatures have been shot by the same person, Mr Allibone suspects one yob is responsible for at least two of them after the birds were found in the same area of Sheerness.

The 59-year-old, of Bridgewater Road, Sheerness, said: “All the ones in the Sheerness are all animals that could have wandered into his sight, maybe from his bedroom window.

“Because they are not always found the same day, they are virtually starved and living off their own body fat – the kindest thing you can do is put them to sleep.”

A collared dove was taken to Mr Allibone by a woman whose husband found it in Halfway cemetery where he works.

The bird had been shot just underneath its wing and the pellet perforated its crop – the area before a bird’s stomach that predigests food.

Mr Allibone says he thinks the person responsible was most likely aiming out of their window as it would be difficult to carry around a concealed air rifle.

He added: “It makes you think a lot because in past crimes, people work up (to bigger things).

“Imagine, next he might get the hump and shoot somebody as well.”

Stories you might have missed

Health warning as Kent pollution levels soar

Young mum-of-three trapped during lift repairs

Delays after lorry hits two horses on M25

£500 reward in hunt for serial attacker