Dovercourt Holiday Park swan attack sees animal badly hurt

The male mute swan, affectionately known as Sid, suffered deep puncture wounds when he was attacked at Dovercourt Holiday Park this week.

He was rushed from the park in Low Road, Dovercourt, to Ipswich Veterinary Centre where staff fought to ensure his survival.

Gill Lewis, of Brantham-based charity WeCare, said Sid has also been seriously wounded at the base of his tail and on his back.

Injured - Sid on his way to the vets (Image: WeCare)

Staff at the vets have been unable to repair the main wound due to infection, instead working to cut back rotten flesh to the healthy tissue.

“If you imagine the Parson’s Nose on a roast chicken, something has grabbed Sid by his Parson’s Nose and ripped part of it off,” said Ms Lewis.

“The flap of skin had rotted and has had to be removed. The base of his tail may need further surgery to properly rebuild it.

“This is going to take a lot of time and care and will be costly, in terms of the vet bills.”

Happier times - Sid with his partner Nancy in Dovercourt (Image: WeCare)

Ms Lewis said treatment has already cost WeCare £460 and she expects the figure to rise as efforts continue.

Sid is now expected to return to the charity’s base in Brantham for rehabilitation and daily wound dressing ahead of assessment from the vet.

And concerns have been raised about whether his absence will mean his partner, Nancy, will be driven from their territory by other swans.

“Our concern is that Sid’s treatment is going to take so long that poor Nancy will be driven from their territory by another pair of swans, as she will be unable to defend it without her partner,” said Ms Lewis.

The charity boss has now appealed to residents to help support its vital work, adding: “Animal medical treatment and rehabilitation care is expensive and WeCare relies on donations to provide such support for our wildlife.”

If you would like to donate, you can transfer money to WeCare via bank account number 23746556 and sort code 60-05-33.