Virginia Beach, Va. (WTKR) – The Virginia Beach SPCA wants to know who is shooting federally protected birds with blow darts.
Since the beginning of the year, the SPCA said they've dealt with 12 birds with blow darts in their head, chest or backs.
“They end up flying around or walking around depending on where they were impaled for hours, for days, this last one was for weeks,” said SPCA Wildlife Specialist Barbara Gipson.
Right now, no one knows who is shooting the birds, which so far have mainly been Canadian geese and gulls, which Gipson theorizes may be due to the fact that they tend to flock together.
“Injuring a bird in any way is a federal crime. Birds are federally protected by US Fish and Wildlife Services and it is a federal crime so it is a really serious matter,” she stated.
To read more and see other pictures, click here on affiliate WTKR's website.
If you see a bird with a dart, take action and call the Virginia Beach SPCA Wildlife Referral Line at 757-263-4762.
