Police are hunting for a group of young people who stoned a baby swan to death in a park in Bedford. The cygnet was attacked on Friday at a pond in the town and later died from its injuries.
A witness reported the incident to Bedfordshire Police, who have launched an investigation. The director of St Bede's Ford Swannery, Joanne Gullon, expressed shock, saying: 'They didn't see the swan as a creature - I'm dumbfounded to be honest.'
Ms Gullon called for those responsible to undergo a psychological assessment, stating: 'If you find pleasure out of killing a baby animal by effectively stoning it to death then there's something psychologically wrong with you.'
An RSPCA spokesperson encouraged anyone with information to contact the police. North Bedfordshire Rural Community Policing said: 'We understand and share the outrage that this unacceptable, criminal behaviour has caused in the community.'
