7:56am Saturday 14th March 2009
A GOLDEN eagle is lucky to be alive after being hit by shotgun pellets.
Police are investigating the shooting, which happened near Stanhope, County Durham.
Billy Wilson, who owns the two-year-old captive-bred bird called Ivan, was hunting with him on land south of the village when the bird fell from the sky.
When he found Ivan, he discovered the bird had shattered its leg bone and damaged a wing. It was only when he took Ivan to a specialist vet, that it was discovered the damage had been caused by a shotgun.
Mr Wilson, 40, from Penshaw, Wearside, said he hopes the bird will be able to fly again.
Police arrested and interviewed a 61-year-old man, from Weardale, who has been released on bail pending inquiries. Call police on 0345-60-60-365 with information.
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