SWAN KILLED WITH A CROSSBOW USPCA IN £500 REWARD BID TO CATCH PERPETRATOR
A £500 reward for information has been offered after a swan was shot in the face with a crossbow.
The swan was found dead on Tuesday morning.
The PSNI were at the scene on the Antrim Loughshore on Monday night along with a vet, but the swan had gone into open water and could not be safely retrieved.
The rescue operation was resumed the following morning with the PSNI, the USPCA and Debbie Doolittle’s Wild Life attempting to save the bird.
But the USPCA confirmed later that the bird had been found dead.
The charity said it believes a crossbow bolt was fired at “very close range” and struck the bird between the eyes. It said the bird succumbed to a “lingering death with unimaginable suffering”. It has put forward a reward of £500 for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible.
USPCA Chief Executive, Brendan Mullan said: “Feeding these swans is a popular family pastime; they are therefore trusting of humans. The lowlife that derived perverted pleasure from committing this appalling act must be found. The USPCA is putting forward a reward of £500 for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible. Please contact PSNI directly, call the USPCA on 028 3025 1000 or email enquiries@ uspca.co.uk and we will relay your suspicions to the relevant authority.”
Michelle Hill conservation team leader at RSPB NI said: “The deliberate targeting of wildlife is a crime and is to be strongly condemned.”
Debbie Nelson from Debbie Doolittle Wild Life added: “It’s just so sad that we couldn’t find her sooner. This is just a simple case of wildlife cruelty and if anyone knows who was involved they need to contact the Antrim PSNI. Someone is walking around with a crossbow. If they’ll do this to a defenseless animal who or what is next?”
Politicians also expressed their outrage at the incident.
Alliance councillor Neil Kelly called the attack “disgusting”, while UUP councillor Jim Montgomery shared his sentiment and praised those who tried to help.
PSNI Sergeant Neil Patton: said: “Shortly before 8:30pm, police received a report about an injured swan that had an arrow lodged in its head. Police attended the scene along with a local vet, but were unable to capture the bird. The swan was found dead by a member of the public this morning in the Lough Road area. Enquiries are continuing and we are appealing to anyone who was in the Lough Road area yesterday evening and may have witnessed this incident, or who has any information about this incident, to contact police in Antrim.”
❝ Someone is walking around with a crossbow, if they do this to an animal who or what is next?