Pigeon dies after being beaten by three schoolgirls who ‘ripped its feathers out’

A pigeon has died after being bashed with a large stick by three teenage girls in the West Midlands.

A witness saw the pigeon being beaten by the trio before they left the traumatised bird for dead on Friday. Badly hurt, it dragged itself under a hedge in Sutton Coldfield for shelter, using a wing and limping on one leg.

When the bird was collected by the RSPCA, half of its back was red raw, feathers had been ripped out and it was suffering an injury to the back of its head.

Though animal medics tried to save the bird, they weren’t able to keep it alive and unfortunately had to put it to sleep.

RSPCA animal collection officer Cara Gibbon said the bird ‘suffered completely unnecessarily because of the cruel actions of three people’, as she appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Ms Gibbon added: ‘It was clear when I collected the pigeon that it had been whacked over the head.

‘When I examined the pigeon I could see immediately the extent of his injuries.

‘His head was flopped to the side and he was “ticking” which is usually a sign of head or brain trauma.’

She added: ‘It is so sad that this bird suffered in the way he did, no animal should ever have to go through something like that.’

The charity has asked for anyone who has further information to make themselves known by contacting their appeals line on 0300 123 8018.