Hunt after loch duck is shot with an arrow

A person dressed in camouflage and armed with a bow-and-arrow is being hunted by police after a duck was fatally shot at Loch Lomond.

A horrified member of the public reported seeing a Mallard duck with an arrow embedded in it at the harbour area in Balmaha on Saturday, April 8.

Officers are linking this to the sighting of a person in camouflage clothing shooting a bow and arrow towards a duck near the shore two days earlier – on the Thursday afternoon.

After the suspect was spotted police were contacted and despite making their way to the scene they were unable to trace the individual or any injured animals.

However on Saturday the injured duck surfaced near the harbour, having been in hiding for two days, and the SSPCA were made aware thanks to the help of the public.

Their officers went out to investigate and found the duck with serious injuries and in a lot of pain. It had to be humanely destroyed as a result.

Callander-based PC Laura Robertson, Forth Valley police’s wildlife officer, is calling on anyone with information to get in touch.

She said:“The injuries caused to the mallard as a result of this cruel and deliberate attack would undoubtedly have caused significant suffering to this bird.

“It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Scotland Act 1981 for anyone to intentionally or recklessly kill or injure a wild bird.”

Anyone who witnessed this incident, or who knows the identity of the person in camouflage clothing, is asked to contact police on 101.

Officers are also appealing for those who originally saw the person in camouflage to get in touch along with those who reported the hurt duck to the nearby visitor centre.

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said:“We were called out to an injured duck in Loch Lomond on Saturday, April 8. On arrival it was discovered that the duck had been shot with an arrow.

“We urge anyone with information to contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”