OWLS are being killed and injured by speeding night drivers at an alarming rate, an animal charity has said.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) said ten tawny owls have been hit by cars in the last six weeks.

The birds have been killed or injured in the Ashdown Forest, Uckfield, Scaynes Hill, Magham Down, Hastings, Lewes, Polegate and Eastbourne.

Three owls died at the scene before emergency ambulances arrived, three were put down due to the severity of their injuries, two were released and two are still in care.

The animal charity is appealing to drivers to watch their speed while travelling at night, at dusk and dawn to avoid hitting owls, who hunt along the roadside, and other animals.

Trevor Weeks, founder of East Sussex WRAS, said: “Many people think it’s safe to drive fast at night as you can see approaching car’s head lights from a distance.

“Sadly wildlife don’t have lights on them and could easily run out into the road causing potentially fatal injuries to both the animal as well as humans.

“People have been absolutely in pieces as a result of hitting them.

“We know that it is not always possible to avoid hitting a wild animal when they run or fly across a road, but if we slow down they stand more of a chance of survival afterwards – in the same way that driving slower helps save human lives when a person is hit.”

The team always tries to revive the animal where possible, but WRAS rescuer Chris Riddington said the range and severity of injuries to the animals’ wings, heads and bodies, as well as neurological injuries, was “heartbreaking” to see.

So far this year the charity has dealt with more than 115 road side casualties involving wild animals and birds.

The cost of looking after the ten owls to the charity is more than £900 which includes the price of food, hospitalisation, medication, vets bills and ambulance fees after one needed an operation on its wing.

To make a donation visit www.wildlifeambulance.org or call 01825 873003.