Pigeon put down after being shot through beak with nail gun

Animal welfare charity seeks information on ‘horrific incident’

A pigeon was found with a nail through its beak, believed to have been shot by someone with a nail gun, says the Scottish SPCA (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a pigeon that was shot through the beak with a nail gun had to be put down.

The bird was found with a six-inch nail through its beak in Glasgow. A member of the public called the animal welfare charity after discovering the injured pigeon on Thane Road at around 3.20pm on Monday.

The bird’s injuries were so “severe” that it could not be saved and it was put down to end its suffering.

Paula Vallance, a Scottish SPCA senior animal rescue officer, said: “The nail had gone right through the pigeon’s beak and out the other side of the bird’s head.

“The only way this could have happened would be for someone to shoot the pigeon with a nail gun.

“This is a horrific incident that would have left the bird in a considerable amount of pain and distress.

A pigeon had to be put down after it was shot through the beak with a nail gun, says the Scottish SPCA (Scottish SPCA)

“Sadly, the injuries were so severe that the decision was made to put the bird to sleep and end its suffering.”

Under Scottish law, anyone found guilty of serious neglect or cruelty of an animal can be jailed for up to five years, fined or both.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the SPCA’s confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.