Reward to catch Littlehampton swan hunter

The bird was found at Littlehampton harbour on Thursday, with a suspected abscess, but after being taken to RSPCA’s Mallydams Wood centre near Hastings, three pellets from an air rifle were removed from the cob’s head, which had become infected.

Billy Elliott, of Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service (WADARS), who recovered the swan from the harbour, said it had undergone an operation, and was recovering well, though it would be “several weeks” before it could be released.

“It is saddening and sickening that in the 21st century this sort of thing still goes on,” he said.

“It was a very callous thing to do. They were obviously trying to kill the swan, because they were aiming for the head. Luckily, the pellets did not penetrate his skull.”

WADARS has offered a £500 reward to anyone with information that could lead to the conviction of the gunman, who has committed a criminal offence punishable by a fine up to £5,000.

“There is an idiot out there with an air rifle, who has no qualms about taking pot shots at magnificent animals like swans,” said Billy, adding that the pellets must have been in the swan for at least 72 hours, due to the severity of the infection.

WADARS had also seen an increase in the number of swans at Littlehampton being caught up in fishing tackle, he said. One, found on Monday with hooks lodged in its throat and oesophagus, had died under anaesthetic while vets tried to remove them.

A campaign in 2009 saw signs go up along the riverside, banning hooks on crab lines, which had a large impact, but Billy said the numbers of injuries had now started to increase again.

“With the school holidays coming up, we want to ask fishermen to be aware, and not fish too near the large swan population, and for people crabbing not to use hooks. Crabs take bait with their pincers, so you don’t need a hook.”

He added that he felt it was important to protect the town’s swan population.

“The swans give a lot of pleasure to the people of Littlehampton, and they are one of the attractions of coming to the town.”

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call WADARS on 01903 217788.