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A sparrowhawk has died after being shot by what police believe was an air rifle.

The injured bird - a protected species - was found in the Walton area, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, by a member of the public on 24 July.

Pet Samaritans and Wildlife Angels, a wildlife hospital in Old Whittington, took the sparrowhawk into its care, but the bird of prey later died from its injuries.

The sanctuary contacted police, who made an appeal for information on Thursday.

Laura Bentley, manager at Pet Samaritans and Wildlife Angels, said it was initially thought the bird might have had a broken wing.

However, staff found it had been shot with a pellet, causing internal injuries.

Ms Bentley said the bird "died quite soon after arriving".

"There wasn't really much we could do in this instance," she added.

'Absolutely disgusting behaviour'

Ms Bentley said it was "hugely upsetting" but not the first time the sanctuary had cared for an animal that had been shot.

"We get a huge amount of wild animals that have been shot, but it has not killed them instantly, so they are then suffering a very slow death," she added.

"It is absolutely disgusting behaviour."

She said last year another sparrowhawk, which had been shot by an air rifle in a nearby location, was brought into them.

Derbyshire Rural Crime Team said sparrowhawks were protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which means it is illegal to intentionally kill, harm or physically move them.

Anyone found guilty of killing a sparrowhawk could face an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison, they added.

Police said no-one had been arrested and urged anyone with any information about what happened to contact the force.

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