A SWAN has died, less than 24 hours after being found injured with a suspected gunshot wound.
The swan was found by Friends of Avon Meadows with injuries to its neck, legs, body and head on Thursday, April 25.
Friends of Avon Meadows called for help from Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, but unfortunately the swan has not survived.
Caroline Gould, manager of Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre said: "Unfortunately the swan was dead on arrival.
"We took x-rays and found multiple led shots from a cartridge, not an airgun, there are seven pieces just on the x-rays that I am looking at.
"Somebody had a go with a shotgun, this happens a lot with water birds but more commonly with ducks, although it sometimes happens with swans as well.
"We had a similar incident last year, it seems to be something they do down there for some reason."
The incident last year happened on May 3, where two swans were killed and a third was badly injured after being shot with a BB gun.
Police have not said that the two incidents are connected.
Dan Boatright-Greene, Worcestershire county council councillor for Pershore said: "Its really devastating to see that this has happened again and needs to be looked into.
"There is more crime happening in Pershore that has not happened before and its something that we need to assess.
"We need a proper response from those who are in charge so that we can be better prepared for these types of eventualities in the future."
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Upon my return to duty this morning I was extremely saddened to read that on Thursday April 25, another Swan was discovered to have been severely injured, just two weeks before the anniversary of last year's incident.
"The swan was spotted by our Friends of Avon Meadows who promptly called Vale Wildlife Hospital.
"The hospital were able to recover the swan from the water but unfortunately later that day, the swan died from its injuries."
Police are now asking anyone with CCTV that covers any part of Avon Meadows to review their footage for any suspicious activity prior to 9am on April 25.
All swans are owned by The Crown, as such, taking a swan could be perceived as theft, and killing a swan could amount to criminal damage with up to an unlimited fine and six months in prison.
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