Duck is destined to spend his life with a crossbow bolt through his neck after an attack by thugs, as removing it would be fatal

A duck attacked by thugs appears to be stuck for life with a crossbow bolt through its neck. Experts warned that removing it could kill him.

Disturbing images of the wild mallard duck at Holmer Lake in Telford, Shropshire, have been shared online with demands for someone to come to its rescue.

Shocked RSPCA officers say attempts to save the stricken bird – known locally as Barney, locals say – are unlikely to succeed and could make matters worse.

The charity condemned the ‘cruel and insensitive’ attack on the duck, while warning that similar attacks on wild animals were ‘not uncommon’.

But they were encouraged by the fact that the duck appears to remain mobile and can fly, as they warned that its life could be endangered by attempts to remove the bolt.

Photos of the duck were shared with the RSPCA by people visiting Holmer Lake in Telford

Some have suggested that the duck is the same bird that has been paddling around the lake with a crossbow bolt in its head since 2022.

Others speculated that it could be a second bird, basing their suspicions on feathers on the bolt that had not been seen in previous photos.

The RSPCA and Cuan Wildlife Center were both informed. An RSPCA inspector was sent to check the bird’s welfare and was convinced it was the same bird.

A spokesperson for the charity said: ‘It is difficult to believe that anyone would deliberately commit such a cruel and insensitive act.

‘An RSPCA inspector visited the lake today and spoke to a member of the public who visits daily and it is believed it is not a second duck at the lake that has been targeted in this way, but the same bird as before .

‘It is clearly an extremely disturbing sight for people visiting the lake, but we are pleased to see the duck continuing to feed and have full mobility and full flight.’

The bird has been checked regularly in recent months and the public has been “keeping an eye on” the bird, the spokesperson said.

He described the duck as ‘extremely wary of people’, adding: ‘As soon as it sees a net it retreats, so our attempts to catch it have been unsuccessful.

‘As he is still able to fly, it is also extremely unlikely that an attempted boat rescue will lead to a successful outcome, so we will continue to monitor the situation with the help of the public.’

Police in Telford have previously urged the public: ‘Please be assured this duck is safe and sound – please do not try to catch it.

‘Wildlife experts have indicated that attempts to remove the arrow would most likely result in death, so it is being monitored while it survives.’

The RSPCA spokesperson added today: ‘Unfortunately, such attacks are not uncommon; wildlife is more susceptible to these incidents simply because they are out in the open and no one is protecting them.”

A concerned resident had written on a Telford community Facebook page: ‘Just came to feed the ducks at Holmer Lake and saw this poor duck – who should we contact to get help?’

Comments included ‘I hate people sometimes’, ‘How bad’ and ‘Whoever did that was animals themselves – I hope they get caught and the poor duck gets the help he needs.’

Another poster wrote: ‘The wildlife rescues are already aware of this little guy – there’s nothing they can do, as if they do, he’ll die.

‘If he’s swimming and eating, he’s doing well. He’s been like this for a few years and has some friends who protect him.’

Last month it was revealed how schoolchildren are filming themselves killing and torturing wild animals and sharing the gruesome videos on WhatsApp.

About 500 young people in 11 groups, including primary school students, have shared graphic photos and videos of injured and dead animals killed with hand slingshots.

Swans, deer, pigeons, foxes, squirrels, pheasants, rabbits, geese and ducks are among the wildlife pictured and filmed during the disturbing attacks.

Geoff Edmond, the RSPCA’s chief wildlife officer, described the slingshot killings as an “emerging trend” and said children were “deliberately and deliberately” targeting animals “for sport”.

Two ‘evil’ teenage thugs armed with slingshots killed four swans and injured at least a dozen others in a savage attack on a rescue center in Datchet, Berkshire.

One of the boys, 13, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals at Maidenhead Youth Court last month and given a six-month referral order to a youth crime squad.

The charity today urged anyone with information about the Telford duck crossbow shooting to call its hotline on 0300 123 8018.