Lack of compassion came as a shock

Sir, – I have always found Dundonians to be a compassionate people, so was shocked and saddened to see an elderly man encouraging a young boy, approximately five years old, to throw snowballs at a swan in Broughty Ferry on Saturday.

Throughout this ordeal the swan was struggling in the wild waters during the recent poor weather.

The swan is a Ferry regular, usually along the Beach Crescent area, and is unable to fly.

It’s a female of about eight years, I know this because of the records from when she was ringed.

Because she can’t fly it is unlikely she will be accepted into the larger groups of swans often seen around the Tay, or ever have another mate.

Lots of people take pity on her situation and feed her, myself included.

I have never seen anyone be cruel toward her. It’s the adult who should be ashamed, although any five-yearold I have known has understood that humans should not be cruel to animals.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is a criminal offence to injure a wild bird and the SSPCA and the Scottish Wildlife Trust regularly check on the swan.

Anyone who thinks they can treat animals in this shameful way beware – you may be being watched.

If you like to feed swans it is better to give them things like shredded lettuce, or sweetcorn (the tinned sort), finely chopped carrots and other types of vegetable.

Bread is not very good for them.

Jeannie Cooper. 23 Ramsay Street, Broughty Ferry,

Our reader was sickened by the lack of compassion shown to a swan.