Wildlife lover 'sickened' by swan attacks
Loscoe Dam is a beauty spot in the Derbyshire village of Loscoe
- Published
A wildlife lover believes swans are being targeted at a Derbyshire beauty spot, after one was found dead and another was found injured.
Karen Hall, of the Loscoe Dam Action Group, said the dead swan had a puncture wound and was found next to a large metal spike.
The injured swan had a ball bearing in its leg, leading Mrs Hall to believe it had been intentionally shot.
Derbyshire Police's rural crime team is investigating the death and has asked anyone with information to call the force.
Warning: This story contains a photo some people may find distressing
Mrs Hall said she and others who used Loscoe Dam were "horrified and sickened".
"We have no idea who this is but it's a real worry," she said.
"Somebody is wilfully going to Loscoe Dam to purposefully target the wildlife, and it may not just be Loscoe Dam, it might be other areas where there are swans and wildlife that this person is targeting."
'Significant puncture wound'
The dead and injured swans were both cygnets.
The injured one was found on 12 July, and police said at the time it had been "injured by a ball bearing being fired from a catapult".
He has since been treated for his injury and will be returned to the wild when he is ready.
The other cygnet was found dead on 21 August.
"A significant puncture wound was in the bird, and the assumed weapon that was used to puncture the bird was next to it," said Mrs Hall.
"How on Earth does a swan get stabbed by a weapon by accident? It just doesn't happen."
Police said it was not clear if the bird was killed unlawfully
A police spokesperson said: "The bird was seen recently fit and well but on Wednesday found dead with a small puncture wound in its side.
"It is not clear at this time whether or not the bird was killed unlawfully and we are appealing for any information about the incident."
Anyone with any information should contact Derbyshire Police on 101.
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