Swan victim of dog attack

5:29pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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ANOTHER swan has been attacked and killed by a dog in Worcester.

The death takes the number of swans killed in the last six months to three, and volunteers at Bishops Wood Swan Rescue Centre are concerned dog owners are encouraging their pets to attack the birds.

A passer-by witnessed the male swan being attacked by two Staffordshire cross terriers near the Worcester canal in Bilford Road, Perdiswell on Monday afternoon .

"It was a vicious attack," said volunteer Edward Bird. "The wing was completely broken and shattered through the bone.

"A huge hole was bitten out of its back and it died within a few minutes.

"This incident was particularly horrific because of the injuries done to the bird."

There are now three swans left in the area, and Mr Bird is concerned about their safety.

Mr Bird said another male swan from a breeding pair was attacked by dogs in the same place last year.

"It was attacked on several occasions and was brought into the centre, near Stourport-on-Severn, for treatment but it died as a result of the dog attacks," he said.

The swan's cygnet was also attacked by dogs last year and died.

The volunteer said there were suspicions some dog owners were encouraging their pets to attack the birds.

"There have been a couple of incidents where people are purposefully setting their dogs on the swans, letting them off and not doing anything to remonstrate them," Mr Bird said.

His advice to dog walkers was to be vigilant.

"If the dog is likely to attack, then keep it on the lead," he said.