Two owls are found shot dead on moors

truck, described as having two dog cages on the rear with a thick wooden cover over the dog cages, which was seen in the area at the time of the offence.

The second shooting was of a tawny owl on the Kirklees Way footpath just off Greenfield Road sometime around October 1 2018.

A post mortem shows that the bird had been shot, and had been stuffed into a dry stone wall.

Pc Darren Parkinson, rural crime officer for Kirklees, said: “We have been carrying out a number of enquiries into these shootings and have been liaising with the RSPB as we have progressed our investigations.

“We would like to speak with anyone who has information about either offence or who may be able to identify the vehicle described in connection with the first shooting.

He added: “Owls, along with all wild birds, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is a criminal offence to kill or injure any wild bird.

“The government has set persecution of birds of prey as one of their wildlife crime action priorities.”

Anyone who has information about the crimes is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101.

The Wessenden Head Road incident is logged under crime number 13180457435 while the second shooting is logged as crime 13180516301.

The investigating officer, PC 4038 Parkinson, can also be contacted by email at darrenparkinson@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk