Appeal to use dog leads after death of swan in Lowestoft Park

After a swan died following a dog attack, campaigners are calling for better protection for wildlife at a beautiful Suffolk location.

The mute swan ‘Brucie’ had been a popular sight at Fen Park in Kirkley, Lowestoft, for more than five years and had survived a previous dog attack in August 2021.

But on May 28, he was attacked again and after an infection in his neck, vets decided it was “best to put him down to prevent suffering,” according to the RSPCA.

Lowestoft Town Council and the Friends of Fen Park are now urging all dog owners visiting the area to keep their pets on a lead and away from wildlife.

Brucie’s partner Gracie and five plump-headed swans are still at the park on Southwell Road, but visitors fear for their safety.

Roy Saunders, a regular visitor to Fen Park, said: “My wife Angela called the RSPCA to let them know about the dog attack on Brucie. It’s so sad. Why do people have to let their dogs off the lead?

“We were both very excited and when Angela came home she immediately started crying. Swans mate for life, Gracie is now without a partner, which is very sad.”

Mr Saunders said it was the second time in three years that Brucie had been injured in a dog attack.

After Brucie underwent ten weeks of treatment at the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre near King’s Lynn in 2021, he was returned to the park.

However, the RSPCA said the latest attack had caused an infection in his neck and vets had decided he needed to be put down.

The Friends of Fen Park and Lowestoft Borough Council, which owns and manages the site, have urged people to keep their dogs on a lead when near wildlife.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “We attended the scene on 29 May after receiving a call informing us that a swan had been attacked by a dog.”

“The male swan appeared alert and cheerful and had recovered from the previous day. Since he was with his partner and the young swans, it was decided to leave the swan with his family and monitor him closely.

“Unfortunately, the next day the swan became worse and stopped eating. Our officer returned and took the bird to an independent veterinarian for examination. The veterinarian informed us that the bird had a deep, infected wound and that it would be best to euthanize it to prevent further suffering.”