Police appeal after buzzard shot and killed

A buzzard was illegally shot and killed in Lincolnshire, police have said.

The protected bird of prey was found injured at Grainthorpe, near Louth, on 4 January and taken to an emergency vets for treatment.

It has since died from its injuries, Lincolnshire Police confirmed on social media.

Buzzards and all other birds of prey are legally protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act. To intentionally kill or harm one can result in up to six months in jail.

Det Con Aaron Flint, from the force's rural action team, urged anyone with information to get in touch.

"Please don't think it's not worth reporting, it very much is and helps us to build a picture of this sort of crime," he added.

Responding to the force's social media post, one person described whoever was responsible as "an apology for a human".

Other questioned how someone could get satisfaction from "killing or maiming something so beautiful".

Buzzards, which can have a wingspan of up to 47in (120cm) and weigh up to 2.2lbs (1kg), mainly live in woodland, farmland and moorland, according to the Woodland Trust.

According to the RSPB, more than 1,300 protected birds of prey had been killed across the UK in the last 15 years.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.