Two geese killed at Shaftesbury Lake after being hit by car as they crossed road

The RSPCA was called out to the beauty spot on July 30 after vehicle collided with several of the birds as they crossed Shaftesbury Avenue. 

It confirmed one was dead before they arrived, and the other had suffered two broken legs so had to be put down. 

Witnesses have shared their anger at the actions of the driver who they said was going too fast and did not stop to see how the birds were after hitting them. 

One woman, who did not want to be named, was walking with her friend and their dog. She was one of the first to arrive at the scene and described the distressing aftermath. 

"When we got there a couple of other people were already there and they explained that a car had gone through at speed and run into the geese that were in the road," she said. 

"One of the geese had been moved onto the grass verge, but couldn't hold itself up and fell back down, it was in a bad way.

"The other one was sat on the dropped curb outside of a house. It had blood around its beak and it sort of flapped a little bit. It was quite obvious that it couldn’t stand up or fly and was distressed."

A picture from inside a car of the geese in the road on a different day

She called the RSPCA who arrived shortly afterwards. 

A spokesperson for the charity said: "An inspector who was already working in the area was able to arrive quickly to assess the birds. Sadly, one was already dead, and the second was taken to a nearby wildlife facility, but had suffered two broken legs, and had to be put to sleep to end his suffering.

"Unfortunately road traffic accidents involving wildlife do happen, however, we urge local drivers to take extra care in this area particularly around the local lake, as it is home to lots of wild birds.

"We’re really grateful to the people who found the geese and took the time to call us, it is heartening to know that there are animal lovers in the area looking out for local wildlife."