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An American golfer is facing prison for hitting a hawk with a golf shot because it was making noise while he recorded a TV show.

Tripp Isenhour in actionTripp Isenhour has been charged with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird, crimes which carry up to 14 months in jail and a £700 fine.

Isenhour says he was only trying to scare the hawk away.

The 39-year-old, whose real name is John Henry Isenhour III, became angry while filming on his home course at Orlando, Florida, when a squawking red-shouldered hawk forced another take.

He started hitting balls towards the bird when it was 300 metres away.

When it came to within about 75 metres Isenhour is alleged to have said "I'll get him now".

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A few shots later, witnesses said, he hit the hawk.

The bird, protected as a migratory species, fell to the ground bleeding from its nostrils.

Isenhour said: "There was neither any malice nor deliberate intent whatsoever to hit or harm the hawk.

"I was trying to simply scare it into flying away."

Dale Bartlett, of the US Humane Society, said: "Because of the high profile nature of this case, the PGA Tour needs to take steps to address its interest and to make it clear that they don't condone animal cruelty."

The bird was buried at the golf course and later dug up by Florida investigators.

oh dear god, what a world we live in

lol

They still looking for the ball then?

scoring a birdie went a bit far there then