A duck was shot dead by a gang of youths.

Worcester resident Laura Jolliffe has shared her anger after seeing a group of teenagers shoot a mallard.

Her husband, Simon Jolliffe, tried to save the bird, but it was too late.

“To the three boys who thought it was funny to hit a duck with a slingshot in the neck, congratulations – you’ve killed it!” said Mrs Jolliffe.

“The poor thing was drowning, my husband retrieved it from the canal but it died shortly after.”

Urging others in the area to be on alert, Mrs Jolliffe added: “Please everyone be vigilant around the canal from St George’s Lane North up towards Perdiswell.

“I’d hate any more ducks or even the swans to suffer! So cruel!”

Mrs Jolliffe's home overlooks the canal path where the incident happened, near the bridge on St George’s Lane North.

At around midday on Saturday, April 15, her husband saw three young boys, around 11-13 years old.

“The youngest-looking one aimed either a BB gun or slingshot, something with pellets basically, at the mallard and shot it in the neck,” she added.

“My husband shouted to them but they ran off the canal path, over the bridge and off down the lane that’s between the Gregory’s Bank new build site and the canal towards Perdiswell way.

“My husband got the duck out of the canal to stop it from downing as it couldn’t hold its head up but it was bleeding out so didn’t make it.”

West Mercia Police has been informed and have been contacted for comment.