A goose which had its beak ripped off by sick thugs now has his own supporters’s page on Facebook.

The Canada Goose was found in pain at Wilton Park in Batley last week.

The lower part of its beak had been removed and its tongue was hanging out.

The distressed bird was caught and taken to the Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre in Heckmondwike on Thursday.

But by Saturday morning the goose, since named Wilton, had disappeared with supporters fearing the worst.

Happily, though, Wilton turned up back on the Batley park lake.

Supporters have set up a Facebook page with some 183 friends.

One of them, Mags Doran, said: “We were worried for a while but he turned up safe back at Wilton Park.

He was alone at Ponderosa and was obviously missing his family and friends.”

Mags, 51, of Golcar, has been making a near 40-mile round trip to keep a watch on Wilton.

Mags, who has rescued more than 20 animals including dogs, cats, magpies and pigeons, said: “Wilton has captured the hearts of so many people. He’s on Facebook and YouTube.”

Wilton was found last Monday by Jason Margrave, who was told by another man in the park that the goose had been attacked by the same group of teenagers that had killed a duck.

Jason, Mags, Philip Sweeney, Linda Worth and Carmen Hall have teamed up, joining the Facebook page set up by Wendy Crowther.

Mags said wellwishers had been feeding Wilton bread but that wasn’t enough for him to thrive.

“He needs grain and corn because bread isn’t going to sustain him. Having said  that he is doing well. He looks healthy apart from his beak.”

Mags said she was concerned that the yobs might come back and the more people who visited the park the better.

“We want to raise awareness because we are frightened for Wilton’s safety and that of other birds in the park.

“There are other birds with injured wings.”

Mags said the group had people who were prepared to make donations to feed and care for Wilton – and even provide security patrols in the park.

“It’s unbelievable what has happened,” she said. “But at least people who shown they care.”

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