A COOT has survived being shot right through its body with an arrow and is being treated at South Essex Wildlife Hospital.

A member of the public walking his dog by a lake next to Mollands Lane, in South Ockendon made the shocking discovery on Monday, and called the RSPCA for help.

When the RSPCA officer arrived on the scene he could clearly see that a red and yellow arrow had gone right through the coot’s body, with both ends visible.

As the coot was out on the lake RSPCA Inspector Clare Dew and South Essex Wildlife Hospital vet Tom Linsel paddled out to the middle of the lake to catch the poorly bird.

When they arrived back on the shore, Insp Dew’s colleague RSPCA Officer Joe White assessed the bird.

RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Joe White said: “This is a horrifying incident that highlights the cruelty of some people. We suspect that this poor bird was shot some days ago and has been suffering ever since.

“If anyone knows what happened here we would urge them to contact us and report it.

“It was an horrendous injury and miraculous this bird was still alive - and that the arrow had fortunately only gone through the skin beneath one wing. It was clearly stopping this poor bird from moving properly.

“Insp Dew and Tom checked the rest of the birds on the lake and thankfully none of the others appeared to have been shot.”

The coot was taken to South Essex Wildlife Hospital where it was thoroughly examined. The vicious shaft of the arrow was removed but the bird has been left with a badly infected wound which will need careful care and eventual surgery before it can be released back into the wild.

Joe White continued: “We caught this poor animal in the nick of time. Our thanks go to South Essex Wildlife Hospital for their help in the rescue and for their expertise in treating the coot.”

Anyone with information about what happened to the coot is urged to contact the RSPCA Cruelty Line on 0300 123 4999.

The penalties faced if caught deliberately injuring a wild animal can be up to six months in prison and/or a £5,000 fine if found guilty under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.