Youths Arrested For Animal Cruelty

Five Salisbury youths have been released on police bail after being questioned about the brutal killing of a duckling.

At around 7pm on Tuesday police responded to reports from the public that a group of teenage boys were abusing a duckling in the area of Crane Street near to the bridge.

The duckling had been tangled in wire and when challenged by a passerby the boys shouted abuse at her and threatened to stamp on the bird, police said.

One boy was seen to be carrying a fishing rod and the group were also seen to be throwing stones into the water in the Maltings area behind the library.

"The duckling was barely alive when finally rescued by a member of the public and later on it sadly died," a police spokesman said.

"Officers attended the scene and arrested five local boys in connection with the incident aged between 13 and 16 years. The boys were taken to Salisbury Police station and later released on police bail pending further enquiries."

Appealing for further information, police said they would like to speak to another boy who was believed to be at the scene and is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, approximately 15 years old, of slim build, with light brown/ blonde short hair.

He was wearing a light grey hoody sweatshirt with the hood over his head.

PC Tracey Holloway said: "This was an act of cruelty which also caused a great deal of distress to members of public who witnessed the attack.

"I would like to appeal for anyone who saw the group, who has information on the identity of the boy described or who witnessed this incident to contact me."

Wiltshire Police said they take all incidents of animal cruelty very seriously and will be liaising with the RSPCA regarding this matter.

(PR/GK)