'Sick' thugs torture bird before hanging it from telegraph wire in Bilston
An investigation has been launched after a coot was found tied to a telegraph wire with a rope around its neck in the Black Country.
The bird was found with a broken wing, no beak and a missing foot – with his body hanging near a telegraph pole in Rocket Pool Drive, Bilston.
RSPCA inspector Vicky Taylor, who launched the investigation, said the coot's injuries might have been caused deliberately.
It is believed to have happened between the night of June 22 and the morning of the following day.
She said: "The bird had a number of suspicious injuries and I am very concerned that these were deliberately caused before he had a rope put around his neck and he was then tied to the telegraph wire.
"It seems someone may have inflicted these horrendous injuries including breaking a wing, snapping a leg and pulling off its beak before they decided to hang him by the neck.
"It is a sick and vile act and the poor coot must have suffered terribly from these injuries and I am keen to find the callous person responsible.
"I am now urging anyone with information about this incident to call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018."
All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to kill, injure or take them without a licence.
The maximum penalty, if found guilty, is six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
People who see an animal in distress have been asked to call the RSPCA's cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.
