Ontario: Dead Swans

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.theenterprisebulletin.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=980631

Swans taken to Guelph University for examination

According to a news release issued this afternoon by the Collingwood OPP, the bodies of several swans found dead in Harbourview Park on the weekend have been taken to the University of Guelph for further study.

In an article to be published in tomorrow's Enterprise-Bulletin, following interviews with spokespeople with the Wye Marsh, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the provincial Humane Society, the cause of the swans' deaths in inconclusive pending further examination.

According to this afternoon's news release from the OPP, a local member of the humane society had reported the deaths to police. Police state the swans were delivered to the Wye Marsh and later to the S.P.C.A. (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

The swans have been taken to the University of Guelph for an examination and to determine the cause of death. It is not known when the results of the tests will be available.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Ontario: Dead Swans

This is what was reported yesterday...

Source: http://www.theenterprisebulletin.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=978387

Four swans beaten to death
Posted By SHAWN GIILCK
Posted 1 day ago

The Collingwood Humane Society and the local OPP detachment are appealing to the public for health after four mute swans were battered to death along the harbourfront lands.

The first swan was discovered in the evening April 2 along the Harbourview Trail between Birch and Beech streets. That bird was still alive, although badly injured, and later succumbed to its injuries. A second was found not far away, Dorrie Butler of the humane society said.

Autopsies determined the birds had been bludgeoned to death with an unknown object, Butler said, possibly a golf club or hockey stick. When Butler contacted the Enterprise-Bulletin last week, she was concerned the birds might have been shot, but she said she was waiting for an official determination on the cause of death.

The OPP were called in to investigate and two more swans were found April 4 and 6. The two birds had similar injuries, Butler said.

Mayor Chris Carrier said he would offer "no official word, but personally I find it a despicable act."

"People feed these wonderful creatures and they become trusting of human beings and apparently some person or persons feel that this is an opportunity to perform an act of violence.

"I am sure most people would agree that this is a most disgusting act of violence. Let us hope the culprits are caught and better yet let us hope they turn themselves in or someone who knows something turns the perpetrators in."

Mute swans are not native to North America. Instead, they were introduced as "ornamental" birds by European immigrants lonely for the sights of home.

They've adapted well to the environment since then and many feral birds can be found along the Ontario waterfront. They're a common sight here in Collingwood, with more than 20 birds frequenting the waterfront. The swans are especially popular with people who love to feed birds.

The situation is reminiscent of an incident last year in Owen Sound when two mute swans were beaten to death in Harrison Park, sparking public outrage and a large reward for information. Two young men in their late teens were arrested and convicted in that case.

"We got the first call last Tuesday night," Butler said Monday afternoon. "We came down to Birch Street and there was a swan that was badly injured. We took it home and it died that night. There was also one that was dead. Thursday night another in the same area was mutilated. They were (all) hit on the head between the eyes. It was a mess. Now the OPP have confirmed they found another one with the same kind of wound. It's almost like they've hit them with a golf club or hockey stick, something sharp."