A SWAN was attacked by a dog and died in Freshwater on Good Friday - and now police are looking to identify the dog and its owner.

A young adult swan was killed and its mother injured at Freshwater Causeway yesterday.

Jenny Crates, who has long helped look after the swans, told the County Press: "People walking at the Causeway on Good Friday afternoon, enjoying the lovely sunshine, were devastated by a violent attack on two of the much-loved swans, by an out of control Labrador, who savaged the swans and was unable to be stopped by the young couple who had let him off the lead by the bridge. 

"The dog had already alarmed a dog owner with a young puppy who had been walking in front of the couple along the path from Afton Road, to the extent that she was carrying her dog to keep it safe. 

"She was shocked to see them let it off the lead as they got to the river, and it immediately jumped down to the river bank and began aggressing the two swans, who tried to get away.

"The members of the public were shouting at the owners to stop what was happening. The couple chased the dog across the mud flats and caught it, but by then the young adult swan was bady injured, and eventually died of its injuries."

Jenny said a woman on the bridge had taken a video of the incident, and was going to forward it to the police.

The swan attack came just days after police said a community resolution had been made by way of compensation to a farmer after one of his sheep was killed in a dog attack. That dog was also out of control, off a lead.

Jenny added: "Great thanks are due to all the helpers, especially Edwina, Dave and Eve, Ted Burden and Ingwio Vanhaecke, who himself waded out through the mud, almost getting stuck, in the hope of helping the young swan, but by then it was too late."

She put out a 'heartfelt plea' to dog owners, to keep dogs on their leads near the Causeway swans. Also in the area are other water birds, ducks, geese, moorhens and coots. 

Jenny said: "What happened caused great distress, to the young swan and to the grieving parents, and to all the concerned onlookers whose tranquil afternoon was ruined."

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said: "We have received reports of a black dog chasing after swans and killing one of them on open land near Afton Road in Freshwater between 5.30pm and 6pm yesterday (April 7).

“Enquiries are ongoing to identify the dog and its owners. Anyone with information or video footage which can aid our investigation can report this to us via 101 or online, quoting 44230137683.”