Plea to keep dogs on lead after cygnet attack

The young mute swan is being treated for its injuries at the rescue centre

A rescue centre has urged a "small quantity" of people to "control" their dogs after a cygnet was chased and injured.

The animals attacked the bird near the River Great Ouse at St Ives in Cambridgeshire at about 08:30 GMT on Monday, The Waterfowl Sanctuary said.

Graham Porter, from the charity, said the incident lasted "several minutes".

Cambridgeshire Police said it was contacted about the incident. The RSPCA said dog owners had a legal responsibility to keep their dogs under control in public places.

The bird was being treated at the rescue centre in Godmanchester.

"The bites went through the skin and have torn a bit of the muscle and the bird is being treated with antibiotics," said Mr Porter.

"He can move the leg but I don't expect to see him attempt to stand for a few days."

The registered charity said it rescued about 300 swans a year.

Mr Porter said: "A week rarely goes by when I don't have to patch up an attack by a dog on a swan."

The bird, pictured after the attack, was targeted near the river at St Ives

Mr Porter said he did not want to "aggravate dog owners - as with most attacks, it's a small quantity that cannot control their dogs and let them run amok off lead that cause problems".

Once the bird recovered it would be released into the wild, the charity added.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said it was contacted shortly after the attack in London Road, St Ives, and added: “The owner of the dogs put them back on leads and left the area."

An RSPCA spokesperson said it was "vital for dog owners to be vigilant and to look out for nearby birds, or any wildlife, when they are out on walks and to keep their pets on leads".