Dublin People - Thugs may force swans from park

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Thugs may force swans from park

Thursday, 02 October 2008

SWANS may be removed from the Stardust Memorial Park forever by animal welfare officials following last week’s horrific firework attack that blew a bird’s entire beak off.
One of five swans nesting at the public park in Coolock was put down last Tuesday morning after receiving horrific injuries in the sinister attack.
Now the future of the remaining swans looks in doubt after the DSPCA called for their removal from the park in order to assure their safety.
It is claimed that local youths wrapped bread around illegal fireworks, which they then lit and fed to the swan. The firework exploded ripping the bird’s lower beak off and causing major damage to its top beak.
Gardai and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) are appealing to Coolock locals for any information relating to the horrific attack that left local animal lovers and children devastated.
Marie Prothero, a Coolock local who walks in the park each morning, said she was sickened to find the swan in such a state and believes the situation in the park is spiralling out of control.
“If these people can do this to a living animal, imagine what they might do to a person,” she told Northside People.
“I was so shocked and disturbed when I saw what had been done to that swan; it was the most appalling thing I have ever seen.
“The poor bird was just standing there with its jaw hanging off and blood everywhere. I don’t know who could possibly do this to an animal.
“It seems to me that everything is going to pot. That park should be preserved for the memory of the Stardust victims but instead it’s just completely out of control.”

DSPCA worker Liam Kinsella was on the scene last Tuesday morning to attend to the swan, which rescue staff had been unable to locate the night before.
Speaking to Northside People, Liam described the attack on the swan as the single most disturbing incident he has encountered in all his years of working with sick and injured animals.
“There are just no words to describe this; the gruesome extent of the injuries and complete disregard for life left me in shock,” he stated.
“I have seen lots of animals in distress who might have been struck by vehicles or abandoned by owners but this was the worst yet.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t get to the animal after the incident as it was out on the water and the park is unsafe at night.
“When we got to the bird the next morning it had to be put down immediately. It had lost a lot of blood and was beyond saving.
“There is no excuse for doing this to an animal. I would worry that whoever was involved has serious mental issues if they think this is acceptable behaviour.
“It’s unfortunate for the local community that this happened in their memorial park. I can imagine how disturbing it might have been for anyone on their way to work to have seen the carnage.
“Whoever did this to such a majestic animal obviously has no regard for life and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward to the DSPCA or local gardai.”
A spokesperson for the DSPCA has confirmed that they will now be working towards the removal of the remaining four swans from the park due to fears for their safety.
“We will be applying for permission to remove the remaining swans to take them to a safer private park,” they stated.
“It is unfortunate but this attack seemed premeditated and deliberate. The swans are too vulnerable if they stay at this location.”
The DSPCA are also seeking to meet with local schools in the run up to Halloween to provide education about how fireworks can affect small animals.
“This is not the first case of cruelty to animals involving fireworks and it tends to happen at this time every year with small dogs and cats,” a spokesperson added.
“It is important that young people know the serious danger they are putting themselves and animals in when they play with fireworks.
“The DSPCA is willing to give talks to any of the local schools on these issues and hopefully we can prevent a repeat of this terrible situation.”

» 1 Comment

1"Mr"
at Thursday, 09 October 2008 22:06by Ben Pratt

I find that horrifing and what kind of yobs would do that

» Post Comment

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