Goose shot, beheaded
Belfast, IR (UK)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2006

Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Vicious animal cruelty has made an early return in 2006, with the apparent beheading of a swan in north Belfast.

The bird, which was reported to the USPCA January 3, 2006 in Alexandra Park, was found lying facing the pond. The remains of the swan, which are thought to have been lying in the park since the weekend, were due to be removed by the council.

Over Christmas, a number of people are said to have seen the creature alive with what appeared to be a pellet or bullet wound to its head. A PSNI spokesman said: "Police found the decomposed carcass of a swan in undergrowth with what appeared to be head and neck injuries. The matter was passed over to the USPCA." USPCA chief executive Stephen Philpott slammed those responsible for the attack. "It is appalling that someone could go out and carry out a premeditated attack on a defenceless creature. The swan has been slaughtered - someone has turned up prepared to carry out the deed."

There have been previous attacks on swans in Northern Ireland, including an incident in April 2005 in Carrickfergus in which a young swan suffered a horrific injury when an air pellet lodged in its skull.

Local Sinn Fein councillor Carál Ní Chuilín, who was alerted to the dead swan in Alexandra Park by a local resident, described the incident as "sinister" and "totally deplorable". Ms Ní Chuilín said she had noticed the swan in the park when it was alive. "It stood out," she said. Cathal Mullaghan, an SDLP councillor, also condemned the attack. "The swan appeared to have put up a bit of a fight, and there were a lot of feathers around," he said. No-one from Belfast City Council was available for comment. Mr Philpott called for a post mortem examination to be carried out on the swan.

"Anyone who has information should either go to the police or call us on 028 9081 4242," he said.

Ms Ní Chuilín called for a review of the security of the Alexandra Park.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
USPCA
028 9081 4242

References

• Belfast Telegraph - January 4, 2006

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