Warning signs have been erected to protect nesting swans after a cygnet was killed by a dog. The attack happened at Barton's Point Coastal Park and boating lake at Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey.

Warning: photo of gull may be distressing

Ray Allibone, who runs Swampys Wildlife Rescue, reported the death to Swale council which has installed new signs for dog-walkers.

Mr Allibone said: "This has been going on for a long time with dogs running around without leads near where the swans are nesting.

"This was one of five cygnets which had just hatched."

Two years ago an adult male swan was injured by a dog and needed surgery.

Mr Allibone said: "It is also unacceptable these birds, ducks and other wildlife have to endure antisocial acts.

"There was a report of children throwing stones at two ducks on the canal bank recently and last year I had to rescue a cygnet which had been picked up by youths and thrown into a rubbish bin to see how its parents would react.

"Because of their behaviour, the swans shunned the cygnet which then had to be hand-reared."

Lee McCall, a member of Swale council and Sheerness Town Council, saw Mr Allibone's appeal and said: "After receiving emails and seeing a social media post about dogs chasing swans and causing distress I raised the issue with Swale council.

"I wasn’t the only councillor and now warning signs have been put up along the Queenborough Lines and at Barton's Point."

Mr Allibone also reminded fishermen to clean up after a herring gull was found on the beach at Eastchurch with a hook lodged through its beak.

He said: "It went through the bird's tongue and had fishing line and a weight attached. It could have been a dog or a child injured.

"Most fishermen are good at cleaning up their tackle afterwards but it is one or two who let everyone else down."

The gull is recovering after having the hook removed and being given antibiotics.

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