Five cygnets and their parents were shot, wrapped in plastic bags and thrown down bank of a stream

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A family of swans has been shot and killed in what has been called a “senseless” attack.

The bodies of five cygnets and both of their parents were found wrapped in plastic bags after they were thrown down the bank of a stream in the village of Benenden, in Kent.

Police were called to the scene last Sunday and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has launched an investigation.

Two of the birds’ bodies were examined by staff at RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre in Hastings, East Sussex.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The bodies of the dead birds were found at the village of Benenden in Kent. Photograph: RSPCA/PA

“It’s clear that these poor mute swans have been shot and killed deliberately – one of the birds was peppered with pellets,” said RSPCA inspector Dave Grant.

“It’s absolutely disgusting that someone would purposefully target and kill these beautiful birds, and it’s heartbreaking that an entire family has been wiped out in this cruel incident.”

PC Daniel Perry said: “Kent police was called at around 10am on 24 November to a report that a number of swans were found dead in plastic bags by a stream in Stepneyford Lane in Benenden.

“Officers from the rural task force attended to carry out inquiries at the scene, and are continuing to assist the RSPCA to establish the circumstances of the incident.”

• This agency report was amended on 3 December 2018 to take account of new information that the weapon used in the attack was likely not to have been an air gun.