Sutton Park swan ‘shot in head’ dies year after his mate ‘killed by dog’

A swan rescued from Powells Pool in Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield was unable to be saved with X-rays revealing it has been shot in the head by an air rifle user

A badly injured swan rescued from a Birmingham beauty spot has died despite being given treatment by the RSPCA. And investigations revealed the swan had been ‘shot in the head with an airgun’ by a twisted marksman.

The swan was rescued from Powells Pool, which is between Monmouth Drive and the Miller & Carter restaurant in Sutton Park, on Saturday, October 5. But the poor animal would not eat and drink, and despite being put on a drip it sadly died.

The swan was said to not have any fishing line or hooks causing any obstructions, according to a park enthusiast posting online. But the swan was X-rayed and found to have been shot in the head with an air rifle pellet found.

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James, who posts as Sutton Park Community and runs the Our Sutton Park Facebook page said: “Sadly, the swan rescued from Powells Pool didn’t make it. Although he didn’t have any fishing line or hooks causing an obstruction- they couldn’t get him to eat or drink.

“He had been on a drip to help but didn’t improve. The next bit will be hard to take in. Ex-rays showed he had been shot in the head with an air rifle pellet. This is shocking behaviour. What is wrong with people!!

“I would ask all my members to report any forms of animal cruelty in the park to the police, the RSPCA or the park NNR [National Nature Reserve] Team.

“Huge appreciation for the RSPCA. They did everything they could to save the swan’s life. Thank you to the team at Sutton sailing club and members of the NNR team for all your efforts.”

James said the injury was a ‘past’ one and said the swan’s partner had been killed by a dog the year before. The male swan had been at Powells Pool at the Sutton Coldfield park ‘for a good while’ he said.

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Other members of the Facebook group reacted to the sad news with one saying: “Whoever did this is a monster, should be very ashamed of themselves.” Another said the person responsible was ‘pure evil’. And a third commented How could anyone be so cruel. Beyond words.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) said the person responsible could face a prison term if convicted. A spokeswoman for the animal charity said: “It’s unspeakably cruel and totally unacceptable to shoot animals for ‘fun’ like this – or to harm them for target practice – but, sadly, we receive nearly 200 reports every year.

“We share our space with wildlife and they deserve our respect and kindness. Animals feel pain and targeting an animal in this way will cause this significant pain and suffering before death.

“All wild birds are protected in law, and the maximum penalty for injuring or killing a wild bird is six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine. We encourage anyone with information about who did this to report this.”