A young swan is recovering in the care of Friends of the Animals after being attacked by a dog at Freshwater Causeway – the 2nd such incident on the Isle of Wight this month.
The incident happened on Saturday 29th November when a couple walking by the river witnessed an off-lead dog jump onto the mud and attack a cygnet that was with its parents.
Concerned for the bird’s welfare, the couple contacted Carisbrooke Vets and were referred to Ted, a trustee at Friends of the Animals. He attended the scene shortly after and found the cygnet bright and alert, but with a drooping wing.
As Ted attempted to assess the situation, another off-lead dog approached, scaring the birds away before a rescue could be made. With the injury not immediately life-threatening, Ted returned later that afternoon with support from two volunteers, Jan and Kath. The team successfully captured the injured bird using a swan hook.
Examination revealed a puncture wound that had damaged the muscle responsible for wing positioning. The injury was flushed, packed with medical honey, and treated with anti-inflammatory pain relief and antibiotics. The swan is now recovering in care and is expected to make a full recovery thanks to the quick rescue.
This is the second reported dog attack on a swan in recent weeks. On 10th November, another swan was found injured on the River Medina but had to be put to sleep due to the severity of its wounds.
A spokesperson for Friends of the Animals has said:
“We all love our dogs, especially here at Friends of the Animals, but we never forget that with ownership comes responsibility.
“Please, please keep dogs on leads when they are around other vulnerable animals. We see so many cases of dogs attacking and sometimes killing wildlife, livestock, and even other pets – and most of these are entirely avoidable.
“If you’re walking your dog near any pond, lake, or waterway, please secure them. Even being chased can cause real distress to birds, preventing them from feeding and gaining the vital energy they need to survive winter nights.”
Friends of the Animals continues to care for the injured cygnet and is reminding the public to be extra vigilant when walking dogs near wildlife.
There are too many numpties with their dogs
off the lead.
Heavy fines should be issued to such numpties.
What is wrong with these stupid selfish idiots keep your bloody dogs on a lead? It could be a kid next? Hope the baby swan is recovering well? These people need reporting to the police?
Yet again, a dag and it’s stupid owner destroying wildlife, and enjoyment of nature for all.
Put your shitting machines on a lead.
Sick of your nonsense excuses.
Sick of your entitlement.
Clear up your damn mess.
Let the hate begin W⚓️rs.
Your not worth the effort or use of oxygen have a lovely day.
I used to like to see dogs around but irresponsible owners who let their dogs yap, cr@p & leave them off the lead when they should be reigned in has made me dread coming across them. Letting them attack wildlife is just awful