INJURED CYGNET LOSES FIGHT FOR LIFE AFTER SUSPECTED DOG ATTACK
The young cygnet who was a victim of a suspected dog attack in Bushy Park earlier this week has, sadly, lost its fight for life after emergency surgery at The Swan Sanctuary at Shepperton, it was disclosed this morning (saturday)
A visitor spotted the cygnet in a distressed state on Wednesday morning and reported her fears. The cygnet was taken to the Sanctuary where it underwent emergency surgery for a ‘nasty tear’ across its body.
Sanctuary staff were optimistic the cygnet would make a full recovery because there was no damage to any internal organs.
But a spokesperson told Teddington Town today: “The cygnet was looking well yesterday and seemed to have responded well to the surgery. We were very hopeful of a full recovery but it went downhill overnight. We do not know exactly why apart from the fact it was a nasty injury he suffered.”
The ponds in the park, which are rich with wildlife, are surrounded by clear signage warning owners to keep their dogs on leads and not let them near the water.
The spokesperson added: “There is no excuse for this but it is happening all the time. Dogs are bound to react to activity on the ponds and get excited. It is the owners’ responsibility to keep their dogs under control or exercise them away from the ponds. There is plenty of space.”