It’s an alleged drive-by shooting that has ruffled more than a few feathers in the sleepy village of Sandon.

Now, after receiving reports that a much-loved local goose has been shot, Hertfordshire police plan to, if necessary, exhume its remains as part of their investigation.

The constabulary sent officers to Sandon on Friday after receiving a report from a member of the public that the goose, which had lived on one of the village’s ponds since it hatched 11 years ago, had been killed.

A police spokesman said they were investigating with the RSPCA, adding: “At the moment we cannot confirm if it has been shot or not because we would need a body to do that.

“A lot of rumours have been going around, but if we are able to identify someone down the line then we would do a joint interview with the RSPCA.”

The bird, said to have been a fixture of local life and which features on the parish council’s website, was reported to have been shot on the Rushden Road pond by a man who leaned out of a 4x4 vehicle and opened fire.

Who #shot our #goose Part of sandon village life 4 years Shame on you mindless lads seen killing him from car window pic.twitter.com/2vnD71Oaf8 — gay ayton (@gayayton) February 22, 2016

Gay Ayton, a resident of the village, which has a population of about 200, told the Hertfordshire Mercury that she was appalled by the alleged killing, adding: “It’s really shocking. A lot of the villagers are feeling very sad – even though he was cursed as sometimes you couldn’t post a letter without a stick,” she said.



“It’s spineless and so irritating. We’ve always had a goose. He was very protective of the ducklings.”

The bird has reportedly been buried by the pond, while flowers have been placed inside a nearby phone box.

Messages of sympathy have been left, including one in a child’s handwriting which read: “To dear old Mr Goose. I will miss seeing you. My mum said when you put your tongue out and [made] that hiss, it was coz you loved the duks and your home.

“I liked that you was brave to help wot you love and helped the duks cross the road. don’t wurry me and my friends will look after them for you now.”