Hawk illegally shot in King City

A hawk was found suffering a gun shot wound in King City and the SPCA for Monterey County is offering a big reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.

According to the SPCA for Monterey County, on August 7, a person discovered a hawk was unable to fly at the intersection of San Lucas Road and Oasis Road in King City after it was illegally shot.

The hawk had five pellets in his body. It suffered lacerations on the leg, puncture wounds from the pellets, and a fracture in the left wing. The SPCA Wildlife Center is treating the hawk with pain medication.

Officials with the SPCA said the hawk is not eating due to the pain he’s in. They hope to release him back into the wild once he recovers.

“Red-tailed hawks are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The statute makes it unlawful without a waiver to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill or sell birds on the list, including red-tailed hawks,” said Director of Community Outreach for the SPCA, Beth Brookhouser.

A $1,000 reward is being offered by the SPCA for Monterey County for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for shooting the hawk.

If you have any information about this case call The SPCA at 831-373-2631.