Officers have arrested a man after a pigeon was found with a gunshot wound. 

Yesterday, June 24, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said that one of its officers from the Bolton South Neighbourhood Team attended reports of a gunshot at an unspecified address. 

When the officer arrived, they found a "shot and injured" pigeon in the garden. 

It injuries are "not believed to be survivable". 

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After finding the pigeon, a 70-year-old man was arrested at a nearby address on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and firing an air weapon beyond premises. 

A spokesperson from GMP's Bolton South Neighbourhood Team said: "PC Waite of the South Neighbourhood Team has responded to reports of the sound of a gunshot, finding a pigeon shot and injured in a garden.

"A 70-year-old male has been arrested at a nearby address on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and firing an air weapon beyond the premises boundary.

"Upon a search of the address, an air rifle was located and seized. The pigeon has been taken to a nearby veterinarian, however at this stage its injuries are not believed to be survivable.

"The male remains in custody for questioning."