Attacks on Wanganui birds sicken

Cruel attacks on birds at Wanganui's Virginia Lake have left the feathered victims maimed and dead.

The birds appear to have been shot with glass marbles, fired from catapults, resulting in death and broken limbs.

Wanganui District Council has called for the public's help in finding those responsible.

The attacks, thought to have occurred last weekend, left ducks and pukekos with broken legs and killed a white swan, her cygnet and a number of coots.

Marbles were found in the swan's nest .

Councillor Ray Stevens said such "mindless cruelty" was "disturbing and sickening".

Last month two South Canterbury men were jailed for killing 32 exotic birds at a birdhouse in Temuka, north of Timaru, ripping the heads and feathers off many.

Jonathan Ramon Douglas Fleming, 22, and Simiona Paul John, 27, were jailed for 26 months and 12 months respectively.

- NZPA