People urged to keep dogs on leads after swan killed near Sunderland
Eddie Scott, a volunteer with charity 'Pawz for Thought', says the attacks are devastating
Last updated 26th Jan 2025
A volunteer in the North East who looks after wildlife tells us he's devastated that a swan has been mauled to death after a suspected dog attack.
They're now urging dog owners to keep an eye on their dogs and put them on a lead whilst near wildlife.
Eddie Scott is a volunteer at Sunderland animal rescue charity 'Pawz for thought' - he says it's left him devastated.
"It's happening more and more frequently.
"To see these things is so distressing - it's heart-breaking. Especially when you see some of these animals having been hatched from an egg, and to see them killed is unbelievable."
Eddie has this plea to dog walkers and fisherman:
"Whenever you are in the vicinity of wildlife, please keep your dog - however well behaved they may be - on a lead until you are well away from the wildlife, like swans and cygnets.
"And to the fisherman, please take away your discarded tackle."
He says people who don't take the warnings seriously are to blame.
"It is these irresponsible people that cause these attacks.
"And if your listeners could see what we see, and see how heart-breaking it is, they would actually respect these wishes."