Horror after young swan 'shot dead' in sickening incident near Tyne Tunnel

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An investigation is under way after a swan is believed to have been shot dead in a sickening incident in South Tyneside.

Police are appealing for information after the male bird was found dead after suffering what appeared to be a wound from an air weapon.

The grisly discovery was made by Lakes Estate resident John Melia, who was out walking his dog Barney beside the River Don in Jarrow, close to the A19 Tyne Tunnel entrance.

“We were walking back home from Jarrow Slake. I just looked over to the right and saw it. I didn’t know at first if it was dead or alive,” he said.

The swan was found dead on the morning of Thursday, November 26. Picture by John Melia.

“Then I noticed its head was under its wing. But the real giveaway was the blood. I dragged it up by its tail feathers – my hands were covered in blood.

“I could see an entry wound but no exit. I knew it hadn’t been killed by a fox. A fox would have torn it to bits and its feathers were intact. It was still warm, so it can’t have been dead for long and there was no rigor mortis.”

Mr Melia believes the bird had not been dead for long when he first came across it on Thursday, November 26.

He added: “I can’t say anything about whoever did this that you could put in print. It’s just a sign of the times. No respect for humans or animals.

The swan's leg had been ringed. Picture by John Melia.

“Swans pair up for life, so there’s another one out there pining for its mate.”

Mr Melia said he reported the to police and South Tyneside Council, and believed the bird is being examined by Defra.

A ring had been attached to the swan’s leg which showed that it was only about two years old, he said. Usually swans can live up to 30 years in the wild.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Yesterday (November 26) we were alerted to a swan that was believed to have been shot with a suspected air weapon off Cemetery Road, Jarrow.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police via the Tell Us Something page of our website, or by calling 101 quoting log 397 261120.”

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