James City County, Va. - A bald eagle was found shot in James City County on Monday.
The bird was transported to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro on Tuesday. It was determined that the bird had been shot two weeks prior and was unable to be saved.
X-rays of the eagle showed that small metal pellets were in the leg where the bird was shot. Those pellets are similar to those found in shotgun shells.
The Wildlife Center says in the past five years, they've treated 92 animals for gunshot wounds including other bald eagles.
It is both a state and federal offense to shoot a bald eagle. It carries a $5,000 fine and up to a year in prison for a first offense.
