One of Ballarat's iconic Lake Wendouree swans has died after a dog attack near the popular adventure playground.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The dog, which was on a leash at the time of the attack, mauled the swan on Monday morning but despite onlookers rushing it to a nearby vet the swan could not be saved.
Although the dog and its owner left immediately after the attack, the owner made a report to Ballarat Police who confirmed the case was now in the hands of the City of Ballarat ranger.
Wildlife carer Heather Lewis was called to the scene after the attack but the bird had already been taken to the vet.
"The swan received a punctured lung, couldn't move one leg and the vet said there were feathers everywhere so it was obviously a very vicious attack," Ms Lewis said.
"I'm very concerned because it could have been a child, plus there are a lot of cygnets around now too."
Ms Lewis said if the attacked swan had been a parent of cygnets, that swan family could now struggle as they do not fare well without both parents.
She said while it was very concerning for an attack to take place, she praised members of the public who stepped in immediately to help the bird and take it to the vet because they did not want it to suffer in pain.
"They didn't want to wait for me because they thought it was badly injured so they took it themselves," she said.
But she said protection of the lake's swans had recently made a step forward with the City of Ballarat working with wildlife carers to implement safety precautions to help minimise the number of swans injured around Lake Wendouree.
Swans straying on to the roads has long been an issue with many killed by cars each year.
IN OTHER NEWS
City of Ballarat confirmed it was considering putting a fence along the south gardens boundary next to Gillies Street to stop swans walking on to the busy road.
And grass is being grown longer on the western side of Lake Wendouree to encourage swans to forage closer to the lake shore and not cross the road.
Signs have also been erected around the lake informing people not to feed the birds.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.