Swans shot dead with air rifle at nature reserve
EIGHT swans have been shot dead at a beauty spot.
A sniper using an air rifle killed the birds at Ford Green Nature Reserve in Smallthorne.
A family of two swans and six cygnets, some as young as two weeks old, were found dead in a lake at the attraction.
The police and RSPCA were called out and had to bring in the fire service to remove the swans from the lake.
They were taken to the RSPCA's Stapeley Grange centre in Nantwich where X-rays showed air rifle pellets in the necks and chests of the swans.
RSPCA Inspector John Groarke, who attended the scene, said he was horrified at the 'appalling' attacks.
He said: "The swans were taken to Stapeley Grange where we discovered they had all been shot because they had air rifle pellets in their bodies.
"The adults had more than one pellet in their neck and chests.
"We are horrified that anyone could use an air gun and shoot an entire family of swans. It's absolutely appalling to think someone considers this acceptable behaviour and we're appealing for anyone who knows who may be responsible to contact us." A reward of £350 is available to anyone who comes forward with information surrounding the deaths of the swans.
And campaigners are now calling security measures to be improved at the site.
Paul Reed, chairman of Smallthorne Residents' Association, who is also a committee member at the Friends of Ford Green Hall, said the killings were "atrocious".
He is now calling for closed circuit television to be installed on the site and is offering a reward of £250 on behalf of the residents' association to anyone who has information leading to the capture of the criminals.
He said: "The reserve has been blighted by vandalism recently with arsonists setting fire to a walkway in March.
"We need security stepped up in the area. This particular attack is atrocious and it just highlights the issue of anti-social behaviour in the area.
"CCTV needs to be implemented and police patrols stepped up. This incident is just sick and we hope the police can catch the people.
"We've had a lot of anti-social behaviour, but I would not call this anti-social, it's a lot worse and it's just cruelty."
Pat Simpkin, who lives in nearby Duddell Road and is a member of the residents' association, said it had been a while since cygnets had graced the attraction.
The 55-year-old said: "It's been two or three years since there's been a family of cygnets around.
"There has to be CCTV installed otherwise we don't know what might happen next. If these people can get in and shoot swans they will do anything."
And an animal lover who heard about the shooting of the swans today offered a further £100 reward for information about their deaths.
The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I'm hoping someone will come forward with information.
"When I heard about the shootings and went to the lake people were crowded around and some were even crying."
A spokesman for Staffordshire police said: "We received a call on Saturday reporting an incident at a nature reserve on Ford Green Road.
"A patrol attended and the RSPCA was called. The swans were retrieved and then taken to an RSPCA centre to establish the cause of death."
Anyone with information about the shootings, which happened sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 or police on 0300 123 44 55 quoting incident number 226.
In March arsonists targeted a wooden walkway where a blaze had been started on the walkway around the lake.
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45 Comments
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by gema1xx
Thursday, June 16 2011, 1:24PM
“i think whoever did this should be shot, its disgusting i carnt believe people would b so evil!”
by melanie, MILTON
Friday, May 20 2011, 6:31PM
“Sorry Sarah but people who shoot innocent creatures do not have the right to be further 'educated'. They need to be met at their own level and a clear message sent out to anyone thinking of doing something similar. Pussy footing around 'educating' idiots like this is what has led the country to be in the sorry state it is in now. We are all 'educated' to know right from wrong very early on, way before we can hold a shot gun honey. You need to get real me thinks.”
by MELANIE, Milton
Friday, May 20 2011, 6:24PM
“These low lifes should be flogged..plain and simple. Perhaps then this will send a clear message that the good people of this country will not tollerate such abhorent behaviour. Perhaps a few pellets in their knee caps too for good measure?”
by Sarah Clough, Smallthorne
Thursday, May 19 2011, 4:08PM
“I've just read the comments below and while I completely hope that the perpetrators are caught, I'm unsettled by the amount of people that want to beat them up or shoot them back (not to mention stating that they'll kill a child next) surely educating them would be better? I don't feel violence is a long term solution, as violence is the problem in the first place...”
by Sarah Clough, Smallthorne
Thursday, May 19 2011, 3:41PM
“This is very sad news. I imagine this is the same swan I took a picture of a couple of months ago wishing her luck with her family http://amoodaday.blogspot.com/2011/03/wednesday-16th-march-2011.html If the paper or anybody would like to use the photo (no charge), please contact me on enquiriesAToriginaltake.com”
by Ryan, Smallthorne
Thursday, May 19 2011, 1:14PM
“I am a member of Smallthorne Village Residents Association. Obviously we are appaulled at what has happened, and offered a reward (as mentioned in the article). We have also set up a campaign page on facebook (search for 'swans at ford green hall' and you'll find us).. we need all the help we can get. I just hope they catch the person(s) who did this!”
by Ivan K., Staffs
Wednesday, May 18 2011, 11:14AM
“James, I echo your comments. The Sun report at least looks promising. Catching the perpetrators of this is very important for all of us. That can't be understated.
The adult swans would never abandon each other, let alone their young, so they'd have taken a few hits & died in considerable agony. Anyone who can do this sickening crime is more than capable of one day targeting young children playing in that nature reserve. For that alone, he/they badly need to be traced & arrested!
People, if you know anything, please pick up that phone. Do so, even if you have strong suspicion.”
by James, staffordshire
Wednesday, May 18 2011, 9:33AM
“The story is in The Sun.
No fan of the paper but they will make sure they find out who did this like they did with the woman who threw the cat in the bin.”
by Lazarus, North Staffs
Wednesday, May 18 2011, 8:46AM
“@luke Endon the role of sniper is an ignoble art of killing your enemy, it is abhorred by all soldiers, it is only liked by idiots who require a result and wish to put fear into the enemy, and fools that have not got a clue what it takes to get up real close and shoot someone whilst at a distance. It is far from noble, and leaves scars that never heal. There is no future in glorifying snipers, this offence is a class example of that link along with shooting cats and having the odd pot shot at people.
Can we correct the idea that this is a Nature Reserve, its status is far more significant in National terms it is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) as such it is nationally important, something not only the Council should consider, but more importantly the Police, as both have failed in this instance to ensure that the site is not invaded by ARMED TRESPASSERS, who commited criminal offences that carry substantive jail terms.
Come on let¿s see them put away, and put away for a good while.”
by Lazarus, North Staffs
Wednesday, May 18 2011, 8:26AM
“Name and shame, who knows perhaps he could become the victim, certainly wants the air rifle wrapping round his neck. As with all prats of this ilk he will be back, he thinks its fun.”