Dog attack kills cygnet from much-loved swan family in Kilkenny

Dog owners are being asked to keep their pets on a lead after a nesting family of well-known local swans suffered a dog attack at the Linear Park Weir last week.

The alarm was raised when the parent swans were seen frantically flapping their wings and becoming extremely agitated in an effort to protect their cygnets.

Local Green Party councillor Maria Dollard was alerted to the situation and raised the alarm.

The gardaí were called to the scene and local activists from Keep Kilkenny Beautiful immediately came to the scene in an effort to save a cygnet who appeared to be injured.

The swan family had stayed with the cygnet for sometime but drifted away as it appeared to become very tired and it’s head began to drop.

Readers may remember the story some months ago when a family of swans from Lakeside made their way to the Nore along Ballybough Street.

WATCH: Swan family spotted on early morning march through Kilkenny City!

The video of the Swan family making their way past James Stephens Barracks was shared widely on social media, and here on Kilkenny Live.

Pat Durkin and Sean Hickey of the local Birdwatch Ireland group came to the rescue that time and helped the family on the remainder of their journey safely to the Linear Park, where the family found a new home.

Unfortunately, the journey proved too much for one of the baby cygnets however five survived and thrived.

That is, until last week.

This most recent dog attack led to serious injuries to one of the cygnets and in spite of the best efforts of KKB volunteers who waded into the river to rescue the cygnet, her injuries were too severe and she sadly passed away in the arms of her rescuer while on the way to the Village Vets hospital.

Cllr Dollard said that this incident needs to be highlighted as there are people who are irresponsible in their control of their dogs.

"I see it every day from those who allow their dogs to foul the footpaths or bizarrely leave dog waste hanging on bushes for volunteers and County Council outdoor staff to pick up," she said.

"This incident is at the more serious end of irresponsible behaviour and is totally unacceptable. I am appealing to dog owners to keep their dogs under control when out and about as the consequences for the owners can range from fines to more serious penalties.

"More and more people are alert to the natural world and there is widespread public support for protecting nature. People took this family of eight swans into their hearts and now they are reduced to six because of the drought period earlier in the summer and then because of this dog attack. I hope the remaining four cygnets survive and their presence on the Nore continues for many years to come."

The National Parks and Wildlife Service take all breaches of the Wildlife Act, which protects a range of natural habitats and wild animals, very seriously.

NOTE: The Wildlife Act protects natural Irish species including, hedgehogs, badgers and birds, particularly while they are breeding. The nesting season, which falls under Section 40 of the Act, runs from March 1 to September 1 during which time it is an offence to knowingly destroy the natural habitat of a bird or animal.