A horrified onlooker has recalled the moment he watched an injured duck try to swim to safety after being shot by a gang of youths with catapults.

Chris Nichols had been by the River Stour in Canterbury on Saturday when he saw a group of five males firing at ducks swimming in the water.

But despite attempts to stop them, he says all he got was abuse in response.

"One duck was hit and it was injured but I couldn’t help it for obvious reasons, and I just got abuse when I called the lads out on it," he said.

"They had gone before I had a chance to get to the other side of the river."

Mr Nichols says the incident happened on the stretch of river between Sainsbury’s and Kingsmead leisure centre.

"The injured duck went into the water where the concrete steps are and tried swimming towards the white bridge you cross to go to Sainsbury’s," he said.

"I have just filled out a report form on the Kent Police website so waiting to see if they get back in contact with me."

He added: "The more people that are made aware, hopefully they will keep more of an eye out and stop this kind of behaviour."

Mr Nichols says it was dark so he didn't get a clear view but believes the people in the group were aged from late teens to early 20s.

He posted his concerns on Facebook and another witness responded saying she too had seen the group targeting ducks by firing at them with catapults.

Police and the RSPCA have been asked for a response.

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