'Violent attacks' in south Wales lead to five swan deaths in Neath
Warning: There are images in this story that some readers may find distressing
The small animal welfare group - which offers "sticking plaster" support for what it believes has become a growing problem, by rescuing and re-releasing as many of the injured animals as possible - said it was aware of at least five swan deaths in the area.Volunteers said one swan was found, believed to have been beaten to death, while another appeared to have been shot after a pellet was found lodged near its tongue. The group said it had received about 190 calls this year, with about 10% related to "violent attacks" on swans.As well as within its own patch, the volunteers have also been receiving calls from Somerset, Llandrindod Wells in Powys and even Penmaenmawr in Conwy county.
Vanessa Price, a volunteer from the group, said they had seen a brick dropped onto a young cygnet, breaking its back and causing it to drown. "A female swan was also shot through the head with an air rifle and seven of her eggs stolen, which were two weeks away from hatching," she added."There have been dead ducks, and moorhens found. Lots of pigeons have been shot too."It's been awful."She said police had been patrolling the area since the investigation was launched, but added it was mainly the volunteers who kept the birds safe."We can't be there 24/7 and neither can the police because they have other cases to deal with," she said.South Wales Police added it wanted to "remind the public that it is an offence to injure or kill a swan and we will prosecute if we find that someone has".
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