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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Swans rescued from Slough Canal after 'shots fired' | Swans rescued from Slough Canal after 'shots fired' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A pair of swans and four cygnets that are believed to have been shot at have been rescued by police in Berkshire. | A pair of swans and four cygnets that are believed to have been shot at have been rescued by police in Berkshire. |
| Residents heard shots on Slough Canal near St Mary's Road in Slough and called police on Tuesday. | Residents heard shots on Slough Canal near St Mary's Road in Slough and called police on Tuesday. |
| PCSO Terrie Parker-James said: "The shots were being fired either by air pistols, catapults or other devices." | PCSO Terrie Parker-James said: "The shots were being fired either by air pistols, catapults or other devices." |
| After obtaining a court order needed to remove them, it took officers and volunteers two and a half hours to rescue the swans. | |
| 'Sickening' | |
| One cygnet was found dead in the water on Monday and an egg was also found destroyed. | One cygnet was found dead in the water on Monday and an egg was also found destroyed. |
| The animals, which belong to the Crown, were taken to a rescue centre in Eton where they are recovering. | |
| Wendy Hermon at the Swan Lifeline centre, said: "This is the second family that have been shot at in three weeks. It's sickening, it's so sad." | |
| Ms Hermon said a female swan that was shot while on its nest died on Wednesday due to lead poisoning. | |
| Swans are protected birds and the Crown retains the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water. | Swans are protected birds and the Crown retains the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water. |
| Killing or injuring them is punishable by a six-month prison term and/or a fine up to £5,000. | Killing or injuring them is punishable by a six-month prison term and/or a fine up to £5,000. |