Clues sought after swan is killed

Date: 03 April 2007

Hart District Council wildlife rangers and police have condemned the killing of a swan at Fleet Pond yesterday.

Police were called to the Pond at 4.15pm after a member of the public reported that he had found a decapitated mute swan floating in the water.

Condemning the swan’s killing, Steven Lyons, Hart District Council’s Wildlife Ranger, said: “This was a cruel and barbaric act and it is terrible that anyone would do this.”

Speculating that the swan was lured to feed on bread crumbs sprinkled on a wooden jetty by the water’s edge, Hampshire Police wildlife crime officer, PC Stacey Beale, said:

“It appears that the swan was forcibly held down with its neck held over the wooden rim of the jetty. A knife or sharp bladed article had then been used to cut through his neck. Judging by the marks left on the wood, some degree of force was used.

“To kill a large swan would have taken considerable effort; the person or persons responsible would have been splattered in blood and would possibly have received injuries themselves.

“We are determined to find those responsible for this sickening act and appeal to anyone who was in the Chestnut Grove area of Fleet Pond on Monday between 3pm and 4.15pm.”

Swans are the property of the Queen and protected under the Wildlife and Country Act. The law accords them the same protection as herons, kites and other birds of prey. The offence of killing one carries a maximum sentence of a six-month jail term.

£1,000 reward for information to help catch swan killer