Swan shot by air gun

28.06.11

We’re appealing for information after a swan was found with air gun wounds to his head and neck in the Trent and Mersey Canal at Stoke-on-Trent.

The swan was discovered next to floodgates off Old Whieldon Road, on Friday ,17 June. He was covered in blood and was quiet and lethargic when our animal welfare officer (AWO) Natalie Perehovsky attended the scene.

Natalie found a small wound on the bird’s head and took him to our Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire. 

Rehabilitating wildlife

Wildlife centre supervisor Andrew Smith suspected that the swan had been shot when he also noticed that the left eye was swollen. A vet examined the swan and took x-rays which showed three air gun pellets lodged in the swan's head and another pellet in his neck. 

 

The swan was given pain relief and antibiotics but the pellets cannot be removed due to their location in the swan’s body and vets feared it may cause more damage to try to remove them. The bird’s condition has improved and he will be monitored over the next few days at the centre before being made ready for release.

Andrew Smith said: 

The swan is improving and we are optimistic that he will be able to be released in the near future.

It is always a concern when a swan or any animal is admitted after having been shot but this again highlights what is obviously a problem in the area coming so soon after the incident involving a family of swans which were shot and killed at Ford Green Hall.

Can you help?

The swan had been with his mate and cygnets, none of which were harmed.  The swan was seen at 11.30am and it is thought that the shooting had taken place that morning.

AWO Natalie said: 

We are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward. It is unacceptable to shoot at animals or birds and it causes a great deal of pain and distress which could so easily be avoided.

We need those with information to call our national cruelty line and help us to prevent more animals from falling victim to these mindless attacks.

 

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To report an air gun incident, or any other form of animal cruelty, please call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line: 0300 1234 999.

Calls are treated in the strictest confidence.
 

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