BUSHY PARK CYGNET INJURED IN SUSPECTED DOG ATTACK
A young cygnet from Bushy Park was waiting to undergo surgery tonight after a suspected dog attack earlier today.
The ten-month old cygnet suffered a ‘nasty injury’ which left a gaping wound in its tummy and was rushed to the Swan Sanctuary.
The alarm was raised by a visitor to the park who saw the cygnet motionless in the pond.
Julie Doidge posted photos and said on Facebook: “Another day in Bushy Park and another dog attack.
“I noticed this poor cygnet huddled up and not moving.
“It was obvious something was very wrong. Had sustained a bad bite underneath. Thankfully, now in the care of the Swan Sanctuary.
“Please, please people keep your dogs on leads around wildlife.”
A member of staff at the Swan Sanctuary said: “The cygnet has received a very nasty wound to a third of its tummy.
“I cannot say for sure that it is the result of a dog attack but it has all the hallmarks of a dog related incident.
”This is going on all over the country and people just need to keep their dogs on leads when they’re near wildlife.
“Who knows what’s going though a dog’s mind it sees wildlife in the pond. Keep them on leads or away.
”There are lots of wide open spaces in Bushy Park away from the wildlife where dogs can have a good run around.
“The cygnet will need surgery to help heal this nasty wound but thankfully there is no damage to any internal organs.
”We are hoping the cygnet will make a full recovery and return home as soon it’s well enough.”