Anger as cygnet dies from suspected dog bite

An animal charity has called on dog owners to be "courteous and responsible" following the death of a cygnet.

Pawz for Thought, based in Sunderland, was called to Roker, near the marina, on Tuesday to reports the young swan had been bitten by an off-lead dog, but the bird died after being rescued.

Volunteer Julie Dyson said it had "angered" the charity, because it could have been "so easily avoided".

"If you know your dog is capable of doing harm like that then you should have your dog on a lead around wildlife," she said.

It is a criminal offence to kill swans and other wild birds in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Ms Dyson said it was "quite traumatic" to see an animal "in such pain and suffering".

"Our service is entirely run by volunteers, they've got their own families, it's their own petrol, it's their own time, it's their own energy," Ms Dyson said. "It does really stretch us."

The day before, Pawz for Thought had been called to help a cormorant on Roker Beach which had been caught in fishing wires and hooks left on the beach.

Luckily, a member of the public found it and the charity managed to save it.

"Wildlife is dying because of carelessness from humans who should know better," Ms Dyson said.

"There are days that it does really really get you down. You become exasperated by members of the public who don't listen."

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