Cygnets orphaned by dog attack in Liverpool’s Sefton Park

[Donna]

CONCERN is growing for six baby cygnets after their mother was killed in a savage attack by a dog.

The female swan was killed after being mauled by a Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog at about 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Despite her best efforts, passer-by Kit Friery, who plunged into the lake to bring the swan to the shore in a bid to stop it from drowning, was unable to save the bird.

Now RSPCA experts worry that without his mate, the cygnets’ father could abandon them, leaving the brood- of-six orphaned and vulnerable in the wild.
Swan attack at Sefton Park lake

The baby birds are only a few weeks old and at this stage still depend on their parents for protection from predators.

But under wildlife protection laws, unless the birds are injured they cannot be forcibly removed by RSPCA officers – even if they are concerned about their future.

Liverpool RSPCA animal welfare officer Derek Hampson said: “This is a very sad incident which has left six cygnets without a mother at a crucial time of life.

“The male bird has moved them to another lake and we are hoping he will stay with them.

“The cygnets are a few weeks old but they are still very vulnerable and need their parents for protection from predators. “We will be visiting the park every day over the next few days to monitor the situation.�

Dog walkers and members of the public visiting the park are also being asked to alert the RSPCA if they see that the cygnets have been abandoned.

Ernie Mulhearn, 75, of Aigburth, was just one of the many outraged readers who contacted the ECHO about the story yesterday.

He said: “I always walk my dog in Sefton Park. The same two birds have been there for at least five years.

“They always have their young ones there and they build a nest on the island.

“The lake was drained for about 12 months a year-and-a-half ago, but they came back.

“It really upset me. It is terrible to think what happened to them.�

Angler Peter Kent, another regular at Sefton Park, said the incident highlighted the issue of out-of-control dogs terrorising wildlife.

He said: “Now I would really like to see them making people put dogs on a lead.

“Responsible dog owners, that is all we are asking for.�

Yesterday police confirmed the dog owner involved in the attack on the swan voluntarily contacted police.

She arrived at a south Liverpool station yesterday and was interviewed under caution, although she was not arrested.

A police spokesperson said: “Arrangements will be made for a police dog handler to visit the woman’s home and examine the dog in question, but there is nothing to suggest at this stage that it is a banned breed.�

[Annette]

Poor cygnets.   

[MAK]