UNBEARABLE CRUELTY
Jogger kicks two cygnets – leaving one dead and the other missing
HE COULD simply have run round them. But in a bewildering act of casual brutality, a jogger kicked two newborn cygnets out of his way.
One bird died yesterday, two days after suffering severe brain damage. The other has not been found.
The jogger, aged about 60, is said to have kicked the baby swans while running between two ponds in Richmond Park in south-west London.
One of the cygnets was rescued by a passing couple who witnessed the attack, and was taken to the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton, Surrey.
It was treated with antibiotics and anti- inflammatory injections, but although the swelling to bird’s brain went down it did not survive.
Last night sanctuary trustee Stephen Knight said: ‘It had barely been in the world for a brief visit only to have its life taken away by an uncaring human. We are devastated.’ Earlier, he said: ‘There were three cygnets, the other one has disappeared so the parents are just left with one at the moment.
‘We have no idea where the other one who was kicked has gone. They were just sitting on the path between the two lakes and [the jogger] literally booted them out of the way. I just cannot understand cruelty like this to a defenceless, newborn animal. You u wouldn’t have thought ht t two little cygnets would take up much space on a path.
‘A couple witnessed the whole thing. They took it to the parks police who brought it to us.’ Anyone found guilty of killing a mute swan can be fined d up t to £5,000. £5 000 Th The i incident i happened at around 5.30pm on Monday.
The Royal Parks Police are now looking for a grey-haired, white man around 5ft 6in tall who was wearing black running shorts and a vest.