Three boys have been arrested after a second pigeon attack in Portsmouth

Three boys have been arrested after pigeons were attacked and killed in Portsmouth.

The News reported this week that youths were seen under South Parade Pier on Friday evening, shooting slingshots at pigeons and then stamping on the birds.

A pigeon that was attacked under South Parade Pier in Portsmouth, on Friday, June 26 | Wild Hearts Rescue and Rehabilitation centre

placeholder image — A pigeon that was attacked under South Parade Pier in Portsmouth, on Friday, June 26 | Wild Hearts Rescue and Rehabilitation centre

At least 12 were killed, with two injured birds taken to the Wild Hearts rescue centre in Emsworth. Police were told about the incident the following morning.

One of the pigeons attacked at South Parade Pier in Southsea that is being cared for by Wild Hearts Rescue and Rehabilitation centre in Emsworth | Wild Hearts Rescue and Rehabilitation

It has also emerged that children were seen shooting pigeons with slingshots and stamping on them in Commercial Road in the middle of Portsmouth at 7.10pm on Tuesday.

Police were called and arrested a 12-year-old boy and two 13-year-old boys, all from Portsmouth, on suspicion of killing a wild bird and possession of an offensive weapon. They were all further arrested on suspicion of the same offences in connection with the incident on 27 June.

Three slingshots were found and seized, say police.

The three boys have been bailed with conditions until Wednesday, September 30 while enquiries continue.