Swan mauled to death near the Serpentine in Hyde Park

A dog mauled a swan to death in Hyde Park.

The Metropolitan Police received a report at around 11.30pm on Sunday that a dog had killed one of the popular birds near the Serpentine.

In a statement, police warned dog owners to keep a close eye on their pets.

A police spokesman said: “Just a reminder to all dog owners to keep their animals under control.”

“A number of breaches may have been committed in this case, including the Royal Parks Regulations.

“Unless the prior written permission of the Secretary of State has been obtained, no person using a park shall cause or permit any animal or bird for which he/she is responsible to harm any other animal or bird Bird chases, disturbs or hurts.”

In January, the Standard said a further 600 dog attacks would have taken place across London in 2023.

There were 3,389 dog attacks in the capital last year, 613 more than the year before, a freedom of information request revealed.

Most recently, armed police with riot shields entered a house in east London where a mother was beaten to death by her two XL bully dogs on Monday.

Officers seized the dogs after the victim, known locally as Angeline Mahal, was abused at the home in Hornchurch.

Also on Monday, a 27-year-old man pleaded guilty to taking responsibility for a dog that was dangerously out of control after another man and his dog were attacked by two XL bully dogs in Bushy Park.

The Metropolitan Police said two XL thugs, who were not on a leash, attacked a park user and his dog in the incident last May.

The dogs were confiscated by the police.

The 27-year-old man, identified by police only as Mr Van Heer, will be sentenced on July 25.

Police have asked anyone with information about the swan attack to call 101 and quote CAD 8174/19.05.2024.