Swan shot on Dudley canal (From Dudley News)

Swan shot on Dudley canal

12:17pm Monday 27th July 2009 in News

A YOUNG cygnet has been shot in the head on a Dudley canal.

The female swan was targeted around 5.30pm on July 21 near Primrose Bridge on the Dudley Number 2 Canal, near Bumble Hole Nature Reserve.

Following calls to the police, RSPCA and a swan rescue charity, the injured cygnet was taken to a sanctuary, where she underwent emergency surgery on her skull.

It is thought the swan was shot with a BB gun, as no pellet was found during the operation.

The cygnet is one of a family of six successfully reared by the pair of swans who have lived in the area for the past two years.

They are well-known on the part of the canal and are popular with canal users, who were all shocked by the mindless attack.

Boater Jenny Maxwell, said:” I feel very angry and fed up of vandalism in the area.

“But what sort of a creature can target a beautiful harmless young bird at the start of her life and leave it as a shocked, bleeding bundle of feathers in the water.

“It is horrible to think this has happened and for what?”

It is thought the cygnet will be kept at the sanctuary until she is fit enough to be released.

Jenny added: “She will probably be released on the River Severn when she is 100 per cent fit and well, as she can’t be brought back to her family as they would attack her if she returned.”

Anyone with any information are urged to call police on 0845 113 5000 extension 7601 6073.