SADISTIC youths launched a mindless attack on Greenmount Wild Bird Hospital, ripping the leg off a helpless heron and breaking its neck.

Two pigeons were also killed in the attack which took place around 10pm on Saturday (June 13) at the sanctuary off Brandlesholme Road in Bury.

This is the third such incident at the hospital in the last six weeks.

Volunteers arriving at the centre on Sunday were said to be deeply distressed by the scene.

Jean Stewart, secretary and volunteer at the hospital said: "The girls were in tears. This was a barbaric act, the heron was torn apart, mutilated. For years he had been paired with a female heron.

"The attackers smashed the gate on one of the heron's cages. I don't know how they did it.

"How can people act in such a way, attacking a place like this. We care so much about the birds and look after them very well. I just can't understand it.

"The police were excellent though, they came out immediately and called out the helicopter."

It is thought that a group of two or three, all male and aged between 16 and 20, carried out the attack.

A man living opposite the sanctuary heard the break-in and alerted the police. An investigation is under way and the hospital committee will take immediate steps to increase security.

In previous incidents two tawny owls and a kestrel were taken. The kestrel has since been recovered.

The hospital is currently closed to the public while renovation work is carried out.

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