Swan used as target practice

A SWAN has been used as target practice at the St. Helen's Canal at Widnes, and was found with two crossbow bolts in its head and neck and many air rifle pellet wounds.

One of the crossbow bolts hit the swan's windpipe, leaving the swan gasping for breath, but it was caught, and a vet inserted a valve in its side so it can breath, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Danger of infection

Though the bird is now feeding, the RSPCA states that it is still in danger from infection and its damaged windpipe.

RSPCA Veterinary Officer, Bev Panto explained:

"It's absolutely incredible he survived, if that crossbow bolt in his head had been a couple of millimetres further in it would have gone into the brain.  He's very lucky, if you can call it lucky, that he's still with us."

Cheshire Police are appealing for people to come forward if they have any information about who carried out the attack, believing that those who did this may be bragging about what they have done.