AN animal rights organisation has warned that local residents could be the next target of sick yobs who decapitated a swan in a Basildon park last month.
Animal Rights group PETA is offering a reward of up to £1,000 to anyone who helps convict yobs who decapitated a swan in Northlands Park.
The reward has been posted after the group heard the harrowing tale of the decapitated remains of a swan that were found by dog-walkers in the park on the morning of Saturday, 25 June through local media reports.
"Anyone capable of deliberately inflicting pain and suffering on a defenceless animal demonstrates a worrying psychological state," says PETA spokesperson Sandra Smiley.
Animal control officers at Basildon Borough Council believe the male swan may have been throttled by an attack dog after bite marks were found on the body and a group of youths with dogs were spotted in the park on Friday night.
Stone-throwing youths were later caught attacking the swan’s female mate who had been lingering at the site where the male swan was killed. She has since been relocated for her own safety.
PETA argue that some of Britain’s most infamous serial rapists and murderers, including Jon Venables and Raoul Moat, have a previous history of cruelty to animals causing fears local residents could be the next victims.
Miss Smiley continued: "Animals are often practice victims for people with violent tendencies, so it's important for the safety of the whole community, which includes both human and non-human animals, that the person or persons responsible be found."
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999. For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.