Mystery of 13 mutilated swans in royal park

Park staff have suggested that unruly dogs may be to blame for the attacks in Kensington Gardens.

The mute swans and cygnets were all savaged in the space of 12 weeks, with the first attack taking place in November last year.

Officials say the park's swan population has been reduced from 62 to 49.

The birds, which nest alongside the park's Round Pond, are believed to have been attacked under darkness in the very early hours of the morning.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Parks said most of the swans were found injured rather than dead, leading them to believe that dogs, rather than foxes, were the culprits.

"If a swan survives an attack from a fox then the fox will go after it and finish it off - a dog wouldn't," she said.

"Most of the swans that we have found have been injured but not dead. You can often see the blood.

"They sometimes struggle to walk, they lose the sparkle in their eyes and can look lethargic and their feathers appear greasy and unkempt."

Swans that have sustained minor injuries are treated at the park while badly injured birds are taken to the RSPCA swan sanctuary in Egham.

However, many of the victims had to be put down by park staff.

Incidents have also been recorded in Regent's Park, Richmond Park, Hyde Park and Bushy Park. In Richmond and Bushy, deer have also been attacked by uncontrolled dogs.

There are about 100 swans living in London's eight royal parks. In an attempt to prevent more attacks in Kensington Gardens, signs have been placed around the Round Pond warning pet owners to keep their dogs on a lead.

The Royal Parks spokeswoman said: "People often let their dogs off the lead and they run off into the undergrowth.

"Many owners are just not aware what their dogs are up to and are very upset and apologetic when they find out.

"It's fine for people to walk their dogs in all of the Royal Parks as long as they are on a lead or under control."

Anyone found guilty of killing a swan deliberately - or encouraging a dog to do so - could face up to 10 years in prison or a £5,000 fine.

Swan numbers have fallen in recent years because of shootings and attacks by predators, including dogs and mink.

In 2003, Scotland Yard launched an investigation into claims that the Queen's swans were being stolen by gangs of asylum-seekers who cooked and ate them.

An official Met report said the eastern European poachers were luring the birds into baited traps.