ANOTHER protected bird of prey has been shot in what police have described as a “shocking act of cruelty.”

The red kite was blasted from the sky with a shotgun and left to die where it fell, on farmland near Nidd, in the Harrogate area.

It comes weeks after a similar bird was killed not far from Rowland Gill, near Gateshead, and after another was shot and injured at low Marishes near Malton. Others were found poisoned last year.

The red kite was found by a member of the public who was taking a walk in the country last Saturday, April 23 and was taken to a specialist vet - but its wing was so severely damaged it had to be put down.

The vet believed the bird had been shot while in flight, but had survived, unable to fly, for up to two days, before it was found.

North Yorkshire Police’s wildlife co-ordinator PC Gareth Jones said: “Red kites are majestic birds that mainly feed on carrion and pose no threat to game birds, farmed animals or pets.”

He added: “It has taken many years to re-introduce red kites after their extinction from the UK by persecution.

“People in Harrogate have become used to seeing red kites soaring above the town, and will be shocked by this meaningless and cruel act.”

“I would ask members of the public who were in the areas of Nidd, Brearton and Scotton on Thursday or Friday last week to contact North Yorkshire Police if they have any information that could assist the investigation.”

Red kites are fully protected under Wildlife and Countryside Act and offenders can face penalties of up to six months imprisonment or fines up to £5,000.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, select option two and ask for PC Gareth Jones at Ripon.