A 37-year-old father of two died after a swan attacked him and repeatedly prevented him from reaching safety in a retention pond in Des Plaines, Illinois, United States.
Anthony Hensley worked for Knox Swan & Dog, a company that used swans and dogs to keep geese off properties. In April 2012, he was checking on the animals from a kayak at the Bay Colony condominium complex when one of the swans struck his boat, causing him to fall into the water.
Harassment in the Water
Frank Bilecki of the Cook County Sheriff's Department reported that Hensley struggled to keep his head above water as the swan continued to harass him and prevent him from reaching the pond's edges. Two witnesses said they saw the victim resurface several times and called emergency services, but by the time authorities arrived, Hensley had disappeared underwater, wearing heavy clothing and boots that made swimming harder.
Dive teams recovered Hensley's body from the pond and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead by drowning after growing exhausted.
Nesting Area Trigger
Investigators believed Hensley had likely strayed too close to the swan's nesting area, triggering the attack. His father-in-law told CBS he thought Hensley "maybe didn't fight back enough when the swan attacked him. Maybe he didn't want to hurt the animal. I can't understand how this was possible."
His father, Raymond, spoke about the family's grief: "[His daughters are] too young. They just know their father is not here, and they don't know why. It's tragic for him to have to spend the last few moments like that. That's always my worst fear, drowning." He added, "He's going to be remembered as one of the most wonderful fathers in the world. A very good father, a very good husband… There wasn't a mean bone in his body."
Legal Action After Death
Hensley left behind his wife, Amy, and two young daughters. He had no life insurance at the time of his death, so a memorial fund was set up to support the family. Amy Hensley filed a lawsuit against Hillcrest Property Management and the Bay Colony homeowners' associations, claiming the owners should have recognised the danger posed by the captivity of mute swans, some of the world's heaviest flying birds, known for their aggressive behaviour, bony wing spurs and large beaks. She sought damages under Illinois' Animal Control Act, alleging premises liability and negligence.
