Yobs shoot swan dead
A SWAN was shot dead at a South Yorkshire nature reserve by yobs who repeatedly fired at it with an air rifle.
The body of the male swan was found by a passing member of the public in Parkhill Nature Reserve in Wombwell, Barnsley, on Sunday.
RSPCA inspectors who went to the nature reserve on Parkhill Road to remove the bird found a number of airgun pellets lodged in its neck.
Inspector Helen Griffiths said: "This is a shocking case in which this swan appears to have been deliberately targeted and made to suffer.
"This is just one of many irresponsible airgun-related incidents RSPCA staff regularly have to deal with. Many injured animals will hide away to die painful and lingering deaths, and air pellet entry wounds are difficult to detect by the untrained eye.
"If anyone knows anything about this incident we are keen to hear from them urgently."
The RSPCA is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed something suspicious in the area to come forward.
They specifically want to speak to a group of white youths, aged between 16 and 17, who were seen in the area on Sunday at around 4pm. One was wearing a black jacket with a red stripe across the back, and another was wearing a light blue hooded jacket.
Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA cruelty and advice line on 0300 123 4999 in confidence.
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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