A CYGNET has been attacked and killed by a dog on a nature reserve in Maidenhead.
Another two young swans suffered bite wounds after they were discovered a week ago in Braywick Nature Reserve.
Swan Support, an organisation that rescue swans in Berkshire, were called to help a cygnet covered in cooking oil.
They then found a family of swans nestled in the woods also covered in thick oil. This prevented them from going into the water.
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Swan Support said on Facebook: "Sadly whilst our rescuer was trying to catch the family, a dog which was not on a lead attacked the cygnets. One cygnet died in transit and two more suffered bite wounds."
The organisation explained how busy they had been recently dealing with the incident.
They explained how it could have been a 'completely avoidable rescue' had the dog been on a lead.
As such, they have published an appeal to dog owners to keep their pets on leads when around wildlife.
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Adding: "This is a very sad and completely avoidable rescue.Please keep dogs on leads when around wildlife. This is even more important if you have no control over your dog."
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