Swan put down after dog attack in Fen Park Kirkley Lowestoft

People are being urged to keep their pet dogs under close control and "on leads while near the wildlife" after a male mute swan was attacked near the Fen Park pond in south Lowestoft.

Feathers on the grass after the swan was attacked in Kirkley Fen Park, Lowestoft. Picture: Friends of Fen Park, Lowestoft (Image: Friends of Fen Park, Lowestoft)

The male swan, Brucie - as he is known to park regulars and the Friends of Fen Park, Lowestoft group - had to be taken for treatment, leaving his mate - female swan Gracie - and cygnets behind.

It is the second time in three years that the male swan has been injured in a savage dog attack as he defended his cygnets and mate.

In August 2021, Brucie was bitten at the base of his wing and left bleeding following a dog attack, which saw him taken to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre near King's Lynn for 10 weeks of treatment.

The swans were reunited at the Fen Park pond in Kirkley, Lowestoft in October 2021 following a dog attack. Picture Friends of Fen Park (Image: Friends of Fen Park)

In the latest incident on Tuesday, Brucie suffered "a cut on his neck" as the dog attack was witnessed by a member of the public.

Female swan Gracie was left with some broken feathers around her neck during the attack.

However the male mute swan's injuries became badly infected, and he had to be taken away from the park in Southwell Road, Kirkley for further treatment with the RSPCA on Thursday.

The injured male mute swan, which was attacked by a dog in Fen Park, Kirkley in Lowestoft, just before he is taken for treatment with the RSPCA. Picture: Friends of Fen Park, Lowestoft (Image: Friends of Fen Park, Lowestoft)

Having been residents at the popular pond in Kirkley for more than five years, a spokesman for the Friends of Fen Park, Lowestoft group said: "We are deeply saddened by the news that Brucie, our male mute swan has been attacked again.

"He has an infected wound on his neck and has been taken by the RSPCA for treatment.

"Please can we ask that dog owners keep their dogs on leads while near the wildlife."

A Lowestoft Town Council spokesman reiterated calls to dog owners to "use leads near the wildlife within our Parks and Open Spaces."

The spokesman said: "Lowestoft Town Council regrets to inform our community that a swan was attacked in Kirkley Fen Park on Tuesday."

With the incident reported to RSPCA and Suffolk Police, the spokesman added: "Let's work together to keep our local wildlife safe."

However, following treatment on Thursday, the Friends group were left heartbroken after being informed that the male mute swan had to be put down.

The spokesman added: "It is with great sadness to tell you all but I've had a call from the RSPCA - because the wound is so deep and infected it was in Brucie's best interest to euthanise him.

"We are so saddened by this news."