Dog kills swan on Hampstead Heath
Published: 13 May, 2010
by DAN CARRIER
A DOG owner is facing prosecution after a Staffordshire terrier killed a nesting swan on Hampstead Heath.
The attack, which took place at the Vale of Health pond over the weekend, stunned passers-by, who tried to intervene.
A Heath ranger, who did not wish to be named, said: “The dog owner was totally distraught. They said the swan came up the bank without them noticing, and attacked the dog. They co-operated properly with the Heath police and were obviously upset.”
Nesting swans can be aggressive when protecting their brood, as this swan was. After the swan tried to scare the dog away, the Staffordshire terrier grabbed the bird by its neck. The ranger added: “We managed to get the dog off her, and then drove the bird as quickly as we could to the nearest vets in South End Green. It still had a pulse when we got hold of her, but sadly she died in my arms as we rushed to get her medical help.”
The death has meant a nest of eggs has been left exposed, and the bird’s long-term mate is now without a partner at the third Hampstead pond.
A Heath spokesperson said: “The swan’s nest had been protected, but the attack took place out on the water. Signs around the Heath stress the importance of keeping dogs under close control at all times, especially by ponds and in the bird breeding season.
“The Heath Constabulary attended immediately, with a view to a possible prosecution under the Heath bylaws.”