THUGS who killed one swan and wounded another in a crossbow attack have been condemned as ‘the lowest of the low’.

The birds, which legally belong to the Queen, were discovered after being brutally speared with bolts near Bournemouth’s Throop Mill.

But while the male swan, which was shot through the back, was rescued and treated by the RSPCA, the female was found dead days later.

RSPCA Inspector Graham Hammond said the swans, which mate for life, had been the victims of a ‘despicable’ attack.

“It’s cruel, it’s cowardly, it’s heinous and it’s despicable – it’s the worst thing,” he said.

“These birds are a Mr and Mrs we believe. It is particularly sad because the swans, which mate for life, have been on this territory for a number of years. The male was bolted in the back. It’s a very nasty business.”

 

Despite the valiant efforts of the inspector and four firefighters after the swans were discovered on Thursday night, she was not able to be safely caught, and died alone.

The male was shown his mate’s body before he was released back into the wild on Easter Sunday.

Insp Hammond said: “It’s a great result to release this swan back into the river, but it is tainted with sadness because both birds are no longer here together.

“This swan has been shown the body of his mate just to help him come to terms with it, and hopefully so that he doesn’t expect to see the female here anymore.”

Anyone caught harming a swan faces a £5,000 fine or six months in prison.
Julia Mills, 15, called the RSPCA after noticing one of the swans on a walk at the Mill with her boyfriend.


She said: “The swan looked really sad and in pain, and we didn’t want to leave it.
“It’s really sad and horrible.”

Cllr Ron Whittaker, who represents Throop, said: “I am totally and utterly sickened. I am gutted and sick about it. It is completely depraved for someone to harm one of these birds.
“These people must be beyond help.”

To speak to the RSPCA about the incident, call 0300 1234 999, where information can be left anonymously.