Dorchester duck killings 'heartless and thoughtless'

Cllr Fiona Kent Ledger said the "abhorrent" acts were "heartless and thoughtless".

Police are continuing to patrol the River Frome in Dorchester after reports that groups of youths may have killed over 20 ducks.

The dead birds were discovered along the banks of the River Frome in Dorchester.

Youths have previously been spotted targeting other birds with catapults.

Cllr Fiona Kent-Ledger said: “I think is heartless and thoughtless.

“It is either someone not thinking it through or wanting to harm a living creature and that isn’t acceptable.

“I just don’t understand why people would want to kill another animal.

“It is abhorrent, it is like people drowning kittens or torturing cats.

A spokesperson for Dorchester Police said: "The Dorchester Neighbourhood Policing Team have previously had reports of seagulls being catapulted and injured by a group of youths.

"Over the last few days, more worryingly, we have had reports of 20 plus dead ducks being found along the riverwalks, Dorchester.

"If you see any such behaviour then please phone in immediately with any descriptions, direction of travel and any names known. Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to patrol the area."

Since then officers from Dorset Police Rural Crime Team have been patrolling the area alongside the RSPCA.

The Rural Crime Team has been working alongside the RSPCA to help tackle the issue (Image: Dorchester Police)

These teams have been gathering information and intelligence and are using a "specialist partnership approach" to deal with those responsible and try and prevent the deaths of the ducks.

Swans have also reportedly been targeted by the youths wielding catapults.

Police have encouraged locals to continue to report any information about the issue.

Cllr Kent-Ledger added: “I think it is good that police are stepping up their presence in the area, it is a highly used area for lots of dog walkers and toddlers in prams, we don’t want anyone hit by stray catapults.

“I urge residents not to challenge anyone with a weapon of any sort, but please continue to report anything to police.”

The deaths of the ducks come after students from Budmouth Academy were reportedly seen throwing bread onto the road, trying to lure seagulls into oncoming cars in Weymouth last month.

Seven gulls were killed instantly after being run over and another five were taken to a nearby vet where they had to be euthanised.

The youths were reported to be wearing Budmouth Academy uniforms.

A spokesperson for the school said: "We are disappointed that three members of the school community engaged in reckless behaviour on their way home from school last week.

"We take animal welfare very seriously. The students involved have been identified and we have engaged with their parents and ensured that appropriate sanctions and education have been put in place."