Owner watches as dove is shot

A nine-week old dove let out for a flight by its owner was shot by a mystery gunman who targeted the bird with an air rifle.

Ron Swan has been left distraught by the shooting.

He was watching three of his birds perching on the roof of his home when one was hit.

Mr Swan said he bought eight doves to give himself a new hobby. He said: “I saw it just fall off the roof.

“I was absolutely devastated - I have brought them up myself and to see one of your birds shot in front of your eyes is hard to take. He was just nine weeks old and it was only his second flight out.”

And Mr Swan, of Wallows Road, Brierley Hill, called for a register of air gun owners to prevent irresponsible use of the weapons. At present people do not have to have a firearms certificate to keep an air rifle but owners are still subject to gun laws, under which it is an offence to shoot pet animals. He said: “We have got idiots here just shooting across gardens, it’s ridiculous.”

The incident happened around 9am on Saturday.