Councillor rebuts swan death police cover-up claims

A post-mortem report into the deaths of two nesting swans has been posted online in a bid to counter claims of a "police cover-up".

West Mercia Police initially said the swans had been shot with an air rifle in Newport between 30 April and 1 May, but officers later said it appeared the birds had been killed by another animal.

Councillor Thomas Janke, who chairs Newport Town Council's community safety committee, said a wave of unfounded rumours had appeared online, some casting doubt on the integrity of the police neighbourhood team.

Posting the post-mortem report online, he wrote: "Let me be clear, there is no police cover-up. The case is now closed."

Cuan Wildlife Rescue carried out an examination after the swans were found dead on the tow-path at Victoria Park, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Meanwhile, eggs that were left abandoned after the swans died later started to hatch.

Janke said it was disheartening to see trust in the police undermined by speculation with no basis in fact.

He wrote: "The local police sergeant has personally examined the swans and consulted the vet who carried out a closer inspection.

"He can confirm the findings point clearly to an attack by a large animal – likely a dog, fox, or other predator."

He said injuries included crushing of the skull and bite marks consistent with a larger animal, with no evidence of gunshot or pellet wounds.

Janke wrote: "While we may never know the exact species responsible, what we do know is this was not caused by a firearm.

"I respectfully ask our community to refrain from spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories online."

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