A swan has been shot dead at a beauty spot in west Wales. The incident happened at a pond in Llanelli in Carmarthenshire.
WARNING: Some people may find the below image distressing
An organisation which investigates animal cruelty was notified that a swan was lying dead at Old Castle Pond last weekend. The swan was recovered from the water and examined by specialists, who discovered that the bird had bullet wounds in its head. You can keep up to date with the latest Carmarthenshire news by signing up to the local newsletter here.
Killing a swan is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Many of the swans in the UK are owned by the crown, meaning King Charles III - following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September - has the right to claim any unmarked swan in open waters in the UK.
Read more: Two schools shut and thousands left without water for days as pipes burst
The Animal Welfare Investigations Project, which specialises in investigating serious and organised animal cruelty, has issued an appeal concerning the Llanelli incident. A spokesperson for the organisation said: “We are appealing for information after a swan was found having been shot dead at Old Castle Pond in Llanelli. Investigators received information that a swan was dead on the lake on Saturday 10, December, 2022. We retrieved the body from the lake and examined it. Upon examination, we found the bullet wounds on the swan’s head.
"We are appealing for anyone who was in the area on or around Saturday, December 10, and may have witnessed something suspicious to contact us. You can report it to us online. Alternatively, you can call us on 020 8895 6695. You may also share your information with Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police.”
Read next:
- Call for far more electric cars and vans in council's fleet of 796 vehicles
- Memorial bell for little boy who died silenced after noise complaints
- Man died after mountain bike fitted with engine crashed outside village shop
- Christmas 2022 bin collection dates in Carmarthen
- New school in Kidwelly gets final approval
Find out about the latest crime statistics where you live
