Cruel: The duck was taken to the vets to have the 5.1 inch dart removed from its neckThis duck was lucky to survive after vets removed a 5.1 inch dart which had pierced his neck.
Mindless thugs are thought to be responsible for the attack on the bird who has been nicknamed Flapper.
Members of the public in Lewes, East Sussex, spent almost an hour trying to catch Flapper yesterday after a kind couple spotted him.
Rescued: Chris Kemp, Lewes council ranger, left, and local resident Jack Lee with the duck before it was taken for treatment at the vetsEventually one man managed to rescue him by diving into a freezing cold pond.
Trevor Weeks of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service said: 'The dart thought to be from a blowpipe had gone through the muscle in the neck of the male duck not far from the spine.
'Slightly lower and the dart could have paralysed the duck. It took five attempts to catch the duck, which was mobile and could fly, but was clearly not at full strength.'
Mr Weeks also revealed that another duck had been found with a dart through its wing the previous day.
Full recovery: Flapper's wound cleaned and medicated and he is expected to make a full recovery'This is very worrying. I hope that this is not some sick Christmas present being used to cause cruelty.'
Flapper was taken to East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service's Casualty Care Centre at Whitesmith where the dart was carefully removed and the wound cleaned and medicated.
He is expected to make a full recovery.
source: dailymail
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