Basildon Northlands Park swan fatally injured in dog attack

A swan has been fatally injured during a “sickening” dog attack in a Basildon park.

The South Essex Wildlife Hospital, based in Orsett, has expressed outrage following a dog attack on a swan in Northlands Park, leaving the bird fatally injured.

According to a statement released by the hospital, staff were called to the scene after reports surfaced of a dog viciously attacking the swan.

The owner of the dog reportedly fled the scene, abandoning the critically injured bird.

Shock - Swan is attacked by a dog in Basildon (Image: South Essex Wildlife Hospital)

The incident comes just a week after a young seal pup was left with nasty injuries after an attack by an uncontrolled dog on a beach in Essex.

With the hospital's main ambulance undergoing an MOT, a staff member rushed to the park in a personal vehicle, aided by concerned members of the public, and transported the swan to the hospital within an hour.

Despite swift action, the extent of the swan’s injuries proved too severe.

The swan had suffered a broken neck, a wing twisted 720 degrees with open fractures, and a deep bite wound to the abdomen.

Tragic - The extent of the swan’s injuries proved too severe (Image: South Essex Wildlife Hospital)

Faced with the devastating condition of the bird, hospital staff had no choice but to euthanize her to end her suffering.

The incident has left the swan’s mate alone, highlighting the often-overlooked consequence of such attacks, as swans are known to form lifelong monogamous bonds.

In their statement, the South Essex Wildlife Hospital condemned the incident.

They said: “We are sickened and appalled.

“Yesterday, we were called to Northlands Park in Basildon after reports that a swan had been attacked by a dog.

“Horrifically, the dog owner had then run from the scene, leaving the swan critically injured.

“The death of this bird was 100 per cent avoidable and to leave a bird this injured before fleeing the scene leaves us lost for words.

“Wildlife rescue is far from 'fun and games' and situations like this are something we have to deal with on a daily basis.

“Please keep dogs under control when around wildlife.

“It is not big, clever or funny, it is cruelty and has been reported as such.

“If anyone has any footage or images of the incident, please send it to info@southessexwildlife.org.”

The South Essex Wildlife Hospital, which serves the whole of south Essex and beyond, works tirelessly all year round to nurse sick and injured animals back to full health.

The charity often has more than 300 rescue requests coming in daily.