Fears swan was "battered to death" at blighted Hereford beauty spot

THERE are fears a swan has been "battered to death" at a Hereford city beauty spot, with calls for cameras to prevent further antisocial behaviour.

Janine Martin, who lives in Castle Street, near Hereford's Castle Pool, was on an early morning walk with her dog when she came across a dead swan in the water yesterday morning (December 28).

A pair of swans have recently made the pool, otherwise known as the duck pond, their home, she said.

Mrs Martin said she had initially thought that the swan was a piece of rubbish in the pool, which has recently fallen victim to fly tippers.

"There was rubbish everywhere and I saw what at first looked like a plastic bag, but then realised it was one of the swans" she said.

The dead swan found in Hereford's Castle Pool on December 28. Picture: Janine Martin

Traffic cones, bricks and a shopping trolley have recently been seen in the pool in Hereford's Mill Street, with Hereford man Trevor King, who shared pictures of the blighted scene, branding the culprits "mindless".

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Mrs Martin said she had reported the dead swan to the police and had also rung the council, who advised her to report it to the RSPB and DEFRA.

But more needs to be done to prevent further tragedies said Mrs Martin and her husband, Richard, who fear that the swan may have been killed deliberately.

"It looked quite healthy the day before and the other swan is still there," Mrs Martin said.

"If it had died from avian flu, then they would both have died, as would the ducks."

Mr Martin said he believed the swan may have been "battered to death" by people throwing objects at it.

The dead swan found in Hereford's Castle Pool on December 28. Picture: Janine Martin

The couple said they and other locals are also worried that the area has been hit by antisocial behaviour recently, with concerns that drinking and drug-dealing are taking place in the area.

"We feel a camera and lighting is needed there, because it is a gathering place," Mrs Martin said, calling on Herefordshire Council to take action.

Mrs Martin said she has raised the issues in the area with the Castle Street Residents' Association.

Swans are a protected species in the UK, with wild unmarked mute swans belonging to the Crown.

This means that taking a swan could amount to theft, while killing or injuring a swan could also amount to criminal damage or a wildlife related offence.

Offences committed against swans have been successfully prosecuted in recent years.

West Mercia Police has been contacted for comment.

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