Staff at the Walden Animal Hospital say they were forced to euthanize an owl that was shot through the eye with a pellet gun.
In a Nov. 15 Facebook post, the animal hospital said the long-eared owl was brought in by a concerned citizen from Chelmsford around noon on Sunday.
“There was blood from the beak and it was not conscious,” said the Facebook post.
“We assumed head trauma, as that happens with birds. Then we took the radiograph. This is a pellet from a pellet gun. The trajectory is through the eye. If someone mistook this bird for a partridge they need serious re-education. The more disturbing scenario is that this rare owl was shot on purpose.”
The animal hospital said the story “infuriates" staff, and asked anyone who may have information to contact them, as the MNR is actively investigating the case.
It also asks that if you have a teen that has a BB or pellet gun, to have a discussion about responsible firearm use with them.
