State officials investigate injuries to red-tailed hawk
Bird was shot with arrow, injured by BBs and pellet
OXFORD — State environmental police are asking the public for help on an investigation into the shooting of a red-tailed hawk that occurred in December.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said Tuesday that the agency was seeking the public’s help as it continues its probe of the illegal
shooting.
The agency said the bird was found impaled with an arrow near Thorson Road and North Mark Drive in Oxford last month. The bird was captured and is being treated by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, DEEP said. Wildlife experts found the hawk also had been shot with BBs and an air rifle pellet, DEEP said.
The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it illegal to take, hurt or harass any bird of prey. Property owners are not allowed to shoot or kill birds of prey in defense of livestock without prior permission.