Dog owners urged to use leads after swan death

Brucie, a mute swan, was a familiar and much-loved presence around Fen Park, Lowestoft, before his death in May

Campaigners are calling for better wildlife protection at a beauty spot after a swan died following a dog attack.

Mute swan "Brucie" had been a popular presence at Fen Park, Lowestoft, Suffolk, for more than five years and had survived a previous dog attack in August 2021.

But on May 28, he was attacked again and, following a neck infection, the RSPCA said vets decided "the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep to prevent suffering".

Lowestoft Town Council and the Friends of Fen Park are now urging all dog owners who visit the area to keep their pets on leads and away from wildlife.

Gracie, Brucie's partner, is now caring by herself for five cygnets at Fen Park in Kirkley, south Lowestoft

Brucie's mate Gracie and five thickly downed cygnets are still in the park in Southwell Road, Kirkley, but visitors fear for their safety.

Roy Saunders, a regular visitor to Fen Park, said: "My wife, Angela, rang up the RSPCA to inform them about the dog attack on Brucie. It's so sad. Why do people have to let their dogs off the lead?

"We were both very upset and as soon as Angela came home she was crying. Swans mate for life so Gracie is now without a mate which is very sad."

Mr Saunders said it was the second time in three years that Brucie had been injured in a dog attack.

Having undergone 10 weeks of treatment at the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre near King's Lynn in 2021, Brucie was returned to the park.

But the RSPCA said the recent attack caused a neck infection and vets decided he had to be put down.

Roy Saunders is urging other local dog owners to keep their pets on leads while in the park

The Friends of Fen Park and Lowestoft Town Council, which owns and manages the site, have urged people to keep dogs on leads while near wildlife.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: "We attended the location on May 29 after a call to say that a swan had been attacked by a dog.

"The male swan appeared to be bright and alert and had improved from the day before. As he was with his partner and cygnets a decision was made to leave the swan with his family and for him to be monitored closely.

"Sadly the next day the swan had deteriorated and was not eating so our officer returned and took the bird to an independent vet for examination who sadly advised he had an infected deep wound and that the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep to prevent suffering."