Bird of prey blowtorched and feet cut off in latest sick Doncaster animal killing

The Harris hawk was found late last month in Bessacarr.

The bird, which had an indentification ring, is understood to have been missing for two years.

It is not known when or how the bird suffered its horrific injuries or whether they were responsible for its death.

Karl Horsfield, who made the grim discovery on the suburb’s Red Path said: “It has had its feet cut off and has been blow torched.”

The hawk is now been kept in storage at Doncaster Council’s North Bridge depot and the matter has been passed to South Yorkshire Police.

It is the latest in a long line of vile animal cruelty cases in Doncaster which have come to light during the coronavirus lockdown.

Two pet cats were shot dead in Scawsby and the body of a dead cat was found horrifically burned on a disposable barbecue in a Wheatley alleyway.

Nearly a dozen chickens were also found slaughtered on an allotment in Intake.

Pet owner Melanie Watson, whose own cat Gertude has been shot twice, has urged people to report all cases of animal cruelty to South Yorkshire Police.

Speaking earlier this year, she said: “The police told me but it is an ongoing problem in Doncaster and I would be very interested to see how many other people having this issue.”