SIR,

On Friday 31st January I had a phone call from a concerned member of the public about a swan near the Rowing Club that had been injured.

I immediately phoned the Swan Rescue number and managed to arrange for them to come straight up to Monmouth and see the poor swan.

They found him very badly injured, he had been attacked by loose dogs. His wounds were severe and he had lost a lot of blood. He was taken to the rescue centre but sadly died three days later.

I am asking for dog owners who take their animals to walk in this area to please keep them on leads, they have no control over them and this is the outcome. I am a dog lover and owner, but would never have my dog off his lead. Why can't people be more responsible and make sure that this does not happen again.

Mindless people causing pain and misery to our wildlife. What a truly selfish society.

(Name and address supplied)