THE BODIES of five dead crows have been found dumped in a Newport garden after being apparently shot by someone using an air rifle.

RSPCA received a call from police after they attended the scene on Linton Street on Tuesday evening at the request of a resident.

The birds had been shot in the head before the bodies were dumped. There was some blood on a conservatory roof near where the bodies were found, suggesting they were killed close by.

Inspector Sophie Daniels said: “Somebody must have seen or heard something as someone would have to have been there for quite a while to shoot five crows.

“Sadly, cases like this are not uncommon and we regularly receive calls about animals being shot by people taking pot-shots at them with air rifles.

“There is no excuse for this behaviour. It is just mindless cruelty.”

Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act and carries a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and a fine of up to £20,000 if someone is found guilty.

Anyone with further information can leave a message for inspector Daniels by calling the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018.