The bird survived after a six-inch spike was removed from its neck by vets at the JSPCA.
Major Stephen Coleman, chief executive of the JSPCA, said it was not only concerning that someone had shot a bird, but that it had happened in a public place with people nearby.
‘We received a call yesterday afternoon that a pigeon was acting strangely in the Royal Square.
‘One of our guys went down there and brought it back to the veterinary hospital and after a closer inspection a six-inch projectile was removed from its neck,’ he said.
Major Coleman added that as pigeons are easily scared, the gun must have been fired from a distance of ten to 15 ft.
‘It is worrying that there is someone out there targeting animals. And it is also deeply concerning that this happened in such a public place – if a child had run in front of the bird at the time they could have been killed,’ he said.
The States police have confirmed they are investigating the incident.
