A pigeon was shot dead with a catapult in Ashford.

The shocking attack was just one of two incidents involving cruelty to birds reported to the police on Friday.

Officers were called to Antonius Court at 4.28pm after a pigeon was shot and killed with a catapult.

Witness Sarah Hunter she saw a young boy use the weapon to target the bird.

She said: "The poor pigeon's neck was broken leaving the head hanging off.

"I picked the pigeon up but there was so much blood due to the snapped neck."

A spokesman confirmed that the incident is being investigated and that “an appointment has been made for an officer to meet with the person who reported it”.

In a second attack, also involving a catapult, four youths were spotted at the Bybrook Nature Reserve, in Nine Acres, Kennignton at around the same time.

They are understood to have used a hole in the fence to access the reserve and fired pellets at the animals.

Alex Ward, a Labour candidate in Bybrook ward for the borough elections, said he heard catapults being fired.

He said: “The youths entered the Bybrook Nature Reserve from the lower part of Nine Acres estate yesterday at 4.50pm.

“There is problems of holes in the fence at the nature reserve so people can enter easily.”

Mr Ward called the police and officers were sent to the scene but no offenders were located.

The spokesman added: “No further action will be taken unless any new information comes to light.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information on both attacks should call 101.

In another sick attack, the bodies of dead birds were found tied to fences along a footpath in Broadstairs.

The RSPCA has since launched an appeal for information.