A swan who was rescued from a pond in Forres after she was attacked by a dog, has died from her injuries.
The swan, named Franky by Scottish SPCA staff, was sadly put to sleep last week whilst under anaesthetic.
Staff said she was doing well but suddenly stopped eating after developing abscesses in her neck above the wound site.
While vets battled to operate in time, it was evident that there was far too much damage, and the sad decision was made to end her suffering.
Franky was rescued from a pond at Brodie Castle and Estate on 5 February after being spotted with a badly injured neck.
Animal Rescue officers Lynn Cruickshank and Mich Mann attempted to catch the swan after she had evaded capture for the last two days.
The Swan had a badly injured neck, and the rescue duo were desperate to get her off the water.
Animal rescue officer Lynn Cruickshank said: “Despite being injured she was still swimming strong and low flying.
“We needed to use a boat to reach her and after quite a chase, I eventually hooked her, and she was exhausted, but it was the only option we had left.
“We had a quick look and the wounds on neck looked quite bad and the base of her neck was so swollen.
“She was then transferred to our National Wildlife Rescue Centre so she could be seen by our vets quickly.”
Franky had multiple dog bite wounds to her neck, and she also had upwards of 10 leeches removed from her nose. She was given a course of antibiotics and pain relief but sadly the injuries were too severe for her poor body.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining control of dogs, especially in areas where wildlife is present. Dog attacks on swans are sadly on the rise.
If you witness a dog attack on a swan, please report it. Call the police on the non-emergency 101 number and ask to report the incident to the wildlife crime officer.
If you see a swan injured contact the charity’s helpline on 03000 999 999.
More advice available on reporting wildlife available here
