Female swan shot dead and male injured in "barbaric" attack on Rotherham canal

A FEMALE swan sitting on her eggs was shot dead and a male swan left injured in a sickening attack at a canal in Rotherham.

The birds were discovered by a woman at Turnerwood near Thorpe Salvin as she walked along the Chesterfield Canal at 8.20am last Friday said a police spokeswoman. 

Animal lover Jan Cope-Harris of South Anston, who runs pony and rehoming centre, Tak Rescue at Kiveton Park and her husband Peter Harris, offered a reward to anyone who can help catch the culprits responsible for what Jan called a "despicable crime".

"The female swan, named Hilary, was sitting on her eggs when she was shot dead - the eggs were only two weeks away from hatching, and went cold, so all those babies have now died too," said Mrs Cope-Harris.

"Five male mallards were also shot, as well as a male swan called Stocky.

"Injured Stocky was taken to Yorkshire Swan and Wildlife Rescue Hospital on Friday. 

"I am very passionate about all animals and what happened here is just not right - something needs to be done."

Posting on their official Facebook page, a spokesperson from the Yorkshire Swan & Wildlife Rescue Hospital called the swan shootings barbaric and said the incident felt like one of the darkest of days since they began rescuing wildlife 15 years ago.

After a difficult weekend, an update was posted this morning, saying that Stocky was making a swift recovery against the odds and rescuers were delighted with his progress.

Mrs Cope-Harris has made several posts on community Facebook pages about the swan shootings, which she said have been shared thousands of times.

She added: "My husband and I decided to put up a reward for £1,100 in the hope we could get any vital information that could help catch the vile people responsible, - it's a despicable crime."

Other people have since offered to donate money towards the reward pot.

"My head is still spinning after happened and we hope those responsible are caught," added Mrs Cope-Harris. 

Officers are carrying out enquiries, including revieiwng nearby CCTV footage. Anyone with any information, is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 14/69336/20.