SHOCKING PICTURE: Goose '˜shot by crossbow' at country park

The incident is believed to have taken place on Saturday morning, although exact details are still uncertain.

A number of residents saw the stricken animal, one person taking a photo clearly showing the arrow sticking through its upper body.

One shocked visitor, Lee Turner, wrote on Facebook: “My faith in humanity has been crushed.

“I have just witnessed a swan limping out of Poolsbrook pond with a crossbow bolt through its chest.

“I couldn’t help the poor thing☹, it wouldn’t let me near. I could only call the RSPCA.

“You callous, twisted, sick minded b******s. How could you do such a thing to a defenceless creature?”

See this week’s Derbyshire Times for more on this story.