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A swan died after allegedly being attacked with a catapult in Ashford.
Witnesses believe the bird - one of a pair who had only recently arrived back at Singleton Lake - was attacked after it was found dead around 1.30pm on Sunday.
One said the youth suspected of carrying out the attack was wearing camouflage clothes and was with his father and younger brother.
After the incident they allegedly departed and were seen heading on foot towards Chilmington.
The witness said: "We didn't actually see the incident occur. We were walking along and we saw the young guy in camouflage carrying a catapult.
"When we walked round to the lake a lady came the other way and said 'one of the swans has been killed'.
"We phoned the police a few minutes later and managed to recover the swan's body."
'The cause of death is not known at this stage...' RSPCA
A police spokesman said: "We were called at 1.31pm on Sunday to a report a swan had died after being shot with a catapult at a lake in Singleton, Ashford.
"Officers attended, alongside the RSPCA, and conducted inquiries at the scene.
"The investigation is now being handled by the RSPCA."
A spokeswoman for the RSPCA continued: “Police and an RSPCA inspector attended an incident after reports that a swan had been shot with a catapult on a lake in Singleton, Ashford.
“A body of an adult swan had been recovered from the water - the cause of death is not known at this stage, and there were no obvious injuries found on the body which would be consistent with the bird being shot with a catapult.
“The RSPCA is appealing for any witnesses who may have seen what happened to this swan or if they have any information as to how this swan died to call them in confidence on the inspector appeal line by calling 0300 123 8018.”
Ashford sees the most reports of catapult crime in Kent, and this suspected incident is the latest in a wave of similar crimes that have hit the area recently.
Ten days ago, a seagull was found with its heart removed after being pelted in Otterden Close in South Ashford.
Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.
