POLICE are investigating two attacks on protected wildlife over the past week.

A common buzzard was found with shotgun wounds last Thursday by a member of the public on the Malton Road, near Pickering. Then at the weekend, an injured badger was discovered.

Jean Thorpe, who runs the wildlife sanctuary Ryedale Rehab, was contacted after the buzzard was found.

It was unable to fly, so Mrs Thorpe took it to the vet and was told that it had been shot. She is hoping it will make a full recovery.

She was also contacted when the badger was found.

Mrs Thorpe said: “There are some badger setts on a public footpath on Strensall Common, near the sewerage works. We found a badger that was very badly injured, and a hole that had been dug about four foot down, and following the tunnels inside the sett.”

Mrs Thorpe explained that badger setts are often a target for people who like to send dogs such as terriers down underground to find creatures living there.

The owners put electronic tags around their dog’s neck, and send them down the tunnels.

When the dog barks to say it has found a badger or a fox, they then use an electronic tag locator, sweeping it along the ground.

When it beeps, they have found the fox or badger, and can dig it up.

Mrs Thorpe said: “It is completely despicable, and it is also illegal, as badgers and their setts are protected by law.”

Police wildlife crime officer PC Jeremy Walmsley confirmed that the police were investigating the two attacks. Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area of Strensall Common or the Malton Road near Pickering should contact PC Walmsley on 0845 6060247.