Swan kills cocker spaniel

[PennyB]

Why when they tell you to keep dogs onlead you do

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/swan-kills-dog-dublin-bushy-park-terenure-cocker-spaniel-a8984016.html

[Joules]

That is terribly sad, but swans are very aggressive when they have young with them - they are not exactly friendly at other times too! 

A dog was drowned by a swan in the river at Marlow a few years ago when the owner threw a ball in the water a bit too close to the cygnets and the dog jumped in the fetch it.    I am always very wary of them and keep Coco (and myself) well clear

[bizzylizzy]

How terrible having to witness your dog being killed, very sad.
On a similar subject, - we have a lot of beavers where we live and they are also very aggresive when they have young ,  I have heard of them holding dogs under water until they drown.
 

[Jaysmumagain]

How dreadful - can't begin to imagine.  So very sad.

[ejp]

Poor dog, and poor owner, so very sad, but swans are very aggressive and very strong.

[vixen]

Yes it is terribly sad   
However, tragedies can happen on both sides.
I used to live very close to the towpath of the Grand Union canal and regularly saw swans and had the pleasure of watching them make their nests, incubating their eggs and then venturing on to the water with their babies.  On one occasion,  the cob and pen and their offspring were travelling along the canal when for some reason one of the cygnets got separated from the rest and trapped in the lock.  Mum and Dad tried to get the youngster out but couldn’t.  Along came a guy with a springer which immediately went into the lock and caught the swan baby and killed it.  The owner just calmly took the body and tossed it into a nearby field.  My heart went out to the swan family as it had to witness the death of its young.
These tragedies can be so easily avoided just by keeping your dog on the lead.

[Joules]

Yes it is terribly sad   
However, tragedies can happen on both sides.
I used to live very close to the towpath of the Grand Union canal and regularly saw swans and had the pleasure of watching them make their nests, incubating their eggs and then venturing on to the water with their babies.  On one occasion,  the cob and pen and their offspring were travelling along the canal when for some reason one of the cygnets got separated from the rest and trapped in the lock.  Mum and Dad tried to get the youngster out but couldn’t.  Along came a guy with a springer which immediately went into the lock and caught the swan baby and killed it.  The owner just calmly took the body and tossed it into a nearby field.  My heart went out to the swan family as it had to witness the death of its young.
These tragedies can be so easily avoided just by keeping your dog on the lead.

That is so sad 

I follow the Swan Rescue group and they get called out to swans that have been attacked by dogs very frequently.  It is down to the owner to keep their dog away.  I was once in the park with Coco on the lead - we were about 100m from the riverbank, but a swan came charging at us and flapped her wings, giving me a good whack on the leg.  It was actually quite frightening and it flipping hurt.  They are strong and, although they look beautiful, I have never met a swan with a nice personality 

[bizzylizzy]

Yes it is terribly sad   
However, tragedies can happen on both sides.
I used to live very close to the towpath of the Grand Union canal and regularly saw swans and had the pleasure of watching them make their nests, incubating their eggs and then venturing on to the water with their babies.  On one occasion,  the cob and pen and their offspring were travelling along the canal when for some reason one of the cygnets got separated from the rest and trapped in the lock.  Mum and Dad tried to get the youngster out but couldn’t.  Along came a guy with a springer which immediately went into the lock and caught the swan baby and killed it.  The owner just calmly took the body and tossed it into a nearby field.  My heart went out to the swan family as it had to witness the death of its young.
These tragedies can be so easily avoided just by keeping your dog on the lead.

Thanks for posting that Vixen! There‘s always another side to things and I really wish people would consider that the rabbit/hare/deer/bird etc is chasing may have young that are still reliant on the parent for survival. Dogs whose recall isn‘t reliable really should be on a long lead during the breeding season. Always seems ironic to me that people adore their dogs but sometimes have so little disrespect for other animals.