My husband and I have watched the swans sitting attentively on their nest.

We watched them taking care of their cygnets when they first went swimming. It brought a tear to my eye.

We took photos on one visit of the parents and two of the cygnets, which is the first thing I see when I turn on my computer.

The scum who carried out this terrible crime makes me feel sick to the pit of my stomach.

What's more worrying is what, or who, will be their next victim, an innocent child or maybe a defenceless old person?

They won't have been alone when they attacked the cygnet. If anyone saw the attack, they should report this person to the police.

It could be a member of your family or a pet that they attack next.

Anyone who walks around this pond, I want you to take photos on your mobiles of anything that you feel is causing a danger to the innocent wildlife in our area.

I will not hesitate to ring the police next time I am there if I see anything I think will cause harm to the wildlife.

Olivia Fowlie,
Kingsley Avenue,
South Shields.