AN OWL was shot at a sanctuary in Ebbw Vale.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the tawny owl was shot at the owl sanctuary at Ebbw Vale’s Festival Park on Sunday.

The sanctuary owner had set off to tend to the birds at around 9am and found the dead owl on the aviary floor after hearing shots being fired on the site.

The owl had a shot wound to the skull and it is believed the culprit had fired just moments earlier.

The owner thinks the owl was shot by some sort of pellet gun or air rifle and had been targeted from outside the aviary fence.

Police are also investigating the incident.

RSPCA inspector Sophie Daniels said: “This was a very cruel and cowardly act targeting a defenceless bird.

“Air weapon shootings of pets and other animals is becoming increasingly common and is a very serious problem which causes a great deal of suffering to the animals involved and much distress to their owners.”

Anyone with information can call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.