Bald eagle found shot on trail in Pennsylvania euthanized

A bald eagle found shot Friday on the West Penn Trail had to be euthanized. (Pennsylvania Game Commission / Facebook)

State wildlife authorities say a bald eagle found shot last week on a western Pennsylvania trail has been euthanized.

The Tribune-Review reports that the older male eagle was found Friday on the West Penn Trail in Westmoreland County’s Derry Township.

"State Game Warden Brehun reported to the scene and was able to retrieve the bird, which appeared to have been shot with a small caliber rifle," the Pennsylvania Game Commission wrote on Facebook. "He took the bird to Verona Wildlife Works."

Brehun said the bird had to be euthanized due to skull injuries.

West Penn Trail Council member Cliff Wissinger discovered the bird and called the Game Commission. Another council member, Bill Rodgers, went to the trail to photograph the bird and help out.

He and his wife, Dorothy Pierini-Rodgers, are offering a reward of at least $500 for information leading to prosecution of the person responsible.