A dead duck fished out of the canal near the Stanney Mill Lane area of Ellesmere Port on Sunday (October 18) had been shot.
An X-ray revealed that the mallard had four gun pellets inside its body.
Now the RSPCA is appealing for information, as the discovery of the duck follows a spate of dead waterbirds – including six waterfowl, two coots and a moorhen – found in the canal in the past few weeks.
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A member of the public recently reported seeing a group of youths in the area with a pellet gun to the RSPCA.
RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson said the charity is concerned the birds have been hurt intentionally.
“It is unusual for this many birds to be found dead in the same part of the canal in a short time and, while we have not been able to confirm what the other birds died from due to being unable to reach them, we are concerned that all of the birds have been harmed deliberately,” she said.
“Attacks like this are serious and whoever shot the duck has committed an offence which is punishable by law.
“We are grateful to the member of the public who contacted us about this as the public are our eyes and ears.
“If you witness anything which results in an animal suffering, we urge you to contact us straightaway.”
Anyone who has any information about the incident should contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.
