Swan found shot with airgun pellets in Newbury

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 16:18 · Archive

A swan found on a high street in Newbury was discovered to have three airgun pellets lodged in its body.

A swan found on Bartholomew Street in Newbury was discovered to have been shot with an airgun. Eyewitnesses saw the bird fall from a building roof, and Swan Support charity was called to help. Initial examination found a suspicious lump on the swan's body, which an X-ray later revealed to contain three airgun pellets.

Wendy Hermon, operations director at Swan Support, said one of the pellets was millimetres from the swan's jugular vein, meaning the bird was fortunate to survive. The swan has undergone surgery and is receiving ongoing care.

Swan Support described the incident as "incredibly upsetting" and stressed that deliberately harming wildlife is a crime. The charity said such incidents are not isolated and urged the public to report any cases of wildlife being shot or harmed to police. Thames Valley Police said the incident has been filed pending new information and asked anyone with details to call 101.

How it is being reported

• Upset after swan shot and found with gun pellets in body in NewburyA swan was shot and left injured in a shocking act of animal cruelty.Reading Chronicle · 11 Oct, 15:40
• Swan shot in 'incredibly upsetting' incidentThe swan was found on Bartholomew Street in Newbury and was later discovered to have been shot.BBC Berkshire · 10 Oct, 17:56

In this story: Newbury · Swan Support · Thames Valley Police · Wendy Hermon

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