SICKENED West Fifers have raised nearly £4,000 in just 12 hours after the horrific news that one of the city's beloved peacocks was "horribly tortured and killed" in Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline on Monday night.

The bird, named Malcolm, was found dead while another, Louis, was left "badly hurt" after the aviary was broken into.

Melanie Sorbie organised a fundraising appeal via gofundme, stating: "After hearing the sickening and tragic news of the murder of Malcolm and the injuries to Louis, I’ve put this fundraiser together to help pay for the damage and the vet fees. Let’s help protect our precious Dunfermline peacocks and show our love!"

It has already surpassed its £3,000 target and by 8am this morning was sitting at £3,820.

In an update on the page, Melanie, from Crossford, said: "AMAZING!!! In 12 hours over £3,000 has been raised! Thank you so much for all your donations, this will really make a difference to the peacocks. The GoFund will stay open so we can raise as much as possible. Thank you."

A post on the 'Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park' Facebook page yesterday evening (Tuesday) said: "It is with a broken heart that I have to send you all extremely bad news.

"At 11pm last night I received a phone call telling me one of the birds was hurt.

To donate to the fundraising appeal, visit https://gofund.me/a658e575

"I chased up to the aviary to find it had been broken into.

"We found Louis in the outside roost. He had been badly hurt. The next few hours will be a testing time to get him through it. But we are hopeful.

"Malcolm was horribly tortured and killed."

The post continued: "This was all witnessed by a young lad who volunteers at night to go and check on the birds.

"All I can say at the moment is there were two young thugs aged 13 and 14 years old.

"They have left lovely pictures of themselves on CCTV.

"The police have reported to us that they know them and we now await what comes next for them.

"The aviary can be replaced and fixed up.

"But Malcolm could never be replaced, he was a one off, a beautiful natured boy, never ever known to harm anyone or anything.

"We will all miss him dreadfully, my heart is broken.

"All because two boys out on a school night at 11pm, killing and brutally hurting defenceless birds.

"Did the parents not wonder where their boys were?

"I will not rest until these thugs are in court and get what should be coming to them, and that is not a little slap on the wrist from the children's panel.

"They knew what they were doing."

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville commented: "I was shocked and appalled when I heard about the deplorable attack on the peacock aviary.

"This was a senseless act of cruelty on defenceless birds, who are treasured by people across our local community.

"My thoughts go out to all the volunteers who work so hard every day to look after the peacocks; I know this will have hurt them deeply.

"The 'Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park' charity now face vet bills and repair costs as a result of this horrible incident.

"I know that times are tough for a lot of people but, if you can, please consider donating to their fundraising efforts."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 11.50pm on Monday, 30 May, 2022, we received a report of animal cruelty following the death of a peacock within Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline.

"A second peacock was also injured during the incident.

"Officers are following a positive line of enquiry."

A beloved symbol of Dunfermline, the peacocks have the freedom of the city.

They have a long association with the Glen, stretching back to 1905 when philanthropist Henry Beveridge returned to Dunfermline from India and gifted the park its first birds.

Their numbers had dwindled but a safe haven was established in the park with dedicated volunteers helping to look after them, and help rear new chicks.

To donate to the fundraiser, visit: https://gofund.me/a658e575