WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Geese and swans found shot with crossbows and guns.

Several geese and a swan have been found shot with crossbows, ball bearing guns and bolt guns across Havering and Dagenham over the last few weeks. These horrific attacks began at the start of August and have continued right through until September.

Fortunately all the animals have survived after being rescued by Elm Park resident Jean who works for the Swan Sanctuary. Jean does an amazing job in our community rescuing as many animals as she can and it is indeed thanks to her finding these poor injured birds and bringing them to the vet, that they have survived.

Jean told the Havering Daily:”The first of the geese was found with a metal and plastic crossbow arrow through its neck and another was found shot through the spine.”

These poor animals were found at Beam Park in Dagenham and rushed straight to the vet by Jean.

“I then found another that had been shot through the stomach in Ardleigh Green. It look like he was shot just as he took flight in the air as he was hit in the lower part of his stomach

“We then found one with a swelling in the neck area and beak and we rushed him to the vet where we saw the X-ray of the three bullets fired into him.”

Fortunately Jean and her friend visit Beam Park regularly to check for any injured birds.

“There are people illegally fishing there. We tell them that they are not allowed to fish but they come at night and do it regardless.

“These birds have all survived luckily, but just how many have been killed that we don’t know about.”

The police have been informed.