An animal lover has spoken of her horror at discovering the swan she regularly fed in her home town decapitated with its chest carved out. Emma Steel would go and visit the swan she affectionately called Sidney at ponds near the coastal path in Burry Port.
But one day in June she discovered it had been brutally killed. She then decided to bury the swan nearby. Killing a swan is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Many of the swans in the UK are owned by the Crown meaning King Charles III – following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September – has the right to claim any unmarked swan in open waters in the UK.
Ms Steel said: "I found him with his head chopped off and chest carved out. I was devastated as I was very close to him. His wife is now left alone sitting on three eggs. I fear for her safety."
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A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We received a report of a dead swan being found at the ponds near the coastal path at Burry Port on June 3. Following initial inquiries, when it was established the swan had been buried, and because no further supporting evidence has been provided, the investigation is due to be closed."
It is not the first time that such a horrific act of cruelty has taken place. On December 10 last year in Llanelli a swan was found having been shot dead at Old Castle Pond. You can read more about that by clicking here.