A swan has died following what is believed to be a “sustained attack” as an investigation gets underway.
At around 9am on Friday, April 17, Wiltshire Police received reports that a swan had been found in a “severely injured” condition by someone walking along the canal towpath near Bradford on Avon.
Bath Swan Rescue, a volunteer rescue team supporting waterfowl in the Bath area, attended the incident to treat the male swan. However, after consultation with veterinary professionals, the group concluded that the only option was euthanasia, it was "deeply saddened to report."
In a statement shared on the group’s Facebook page, a spokesperson said that witness accounts had led them to believe the incident happened at 5pm on Thursday, April 16. Following the death of the male swan, a female swan has been left alone, with the rescue team monitoring her situation closely.
Police say while it is unclear how the swan sustained these injuries, a trail of feathers along the towpath suggested a struggle and that it had been a “sustained attack”.
They added that at the swan was nesting at the time, and that two eggs are thought to be missing.
The police say that they have not confirmed the injuries came from a dog attack, but urged walkers to make sure dogs are on their lead. Bath Swan Rescue said after analysis, they “highly suspect this was an attack from a dog.”
The death of the male swan came just days after the Canal and River Trust erected signs advising dog walkers to keep dogs on their leads a matter of metres away from the swans’ nest.
Wiltshire Police are investigating the death of the swan and urged anyone that may have been in the area around Barton Country Park between the evening of April 16 and the morning of April 17 to get in touch with them.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “We have received a report that a severely injured swan was found on the towpath at Barton Country Park in Bradford on Avon at around 9am this morning (17/04).
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of Bath Swan Rescue, it had to be euthanised due to the extent of its injuries.
“It is currently unclear how the swan received the injuries, but a trail of feathers along the towpath and signs of a struggle indicate it was a sustained attack.
“The swan was nesting at the time, and two of its eggs, which it was believed to be incubating are thought to be missing from the nest.
“If you witnessed anything from yesterday evening (16/04) through to this morning within the Country Park then please contact us on 101 quoting reference 54260045606.
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“While it is unconfirmed that the injuries were from a dog, please take this as a timely reminder that it is nesting and lambing season, and however well-trained your dog is, it can be a danger to ground nesting birds and livestock.
“Please pay attention to any signs, and if you suspect there are ground nesting birds or livestock nearby, keep your dog on a lead.”
Commenting on the decision to put the swan down, on the afternoon of April 18, a spokesperson for Bath Swan Rescue said: “This is a decision that our team never takes lightly. Multiple veterinary professionals from different organisations reviewed the injuries, and we all agreed it was the only ethical outcome. We are glad that we could be there with him to ease his pain in those final moments.
“From witness accounts, it looks as though the incident took place yesterday around 5pm and that he had been suffering all night. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the kind member of the public who noticed him when out canoeing this morning and called it in.”
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