Forum Topic

Police hunt jogger who kicked cygnet out of his way in Richmond Park on Monday at 05:30

Police are looking for a man who kicked a newborn cygnet out of his way while jogging instead of going around the young swan.The "desperately poorly" bird is feared to have brain damage and is being cared for at a nearby sanctuary following the incident in London's Richmond Park.Met Police officers for the Royal Parks have issued an appeal for witnesses.They says the suspect is a white male around 60 years old, 5ft 6in, and was wearing black running shorts and a vest at the time.The incident happened around 5.30pm on Monday at the Pen Ponds area in the middle of the south-west London park:https://news.sky.com/story/police-hunt-jogger-who-kicked-cygnet-out-of-his-way-in-richmond-park-12003829

Leslie Wilson ● 2337d13 Comments

Anyone found guilty of killing the protected species that is the mute swan can be fined up to £5,000. I sincerely hope this cruel and callous person is found and fined the maximum.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2337d

To clarify, the original report of this incident makes clear that it happened in the afternoon.

Robin Cox ● 2337d

Is there any CCTV?  What a really shocking thing to do!I do hope he is caught very soon and that the poor little cygnet recovers.

Debbie Paradin ● 2337d

The actions of others never ceases to amaze me, and whilst the age of the alleged perpetrator doesn't make any difference it's not even like this was some teenage toerag acting the fool with their mates.Sadly our courts seem to be very soft on animal cruelty cases, is there any reason why, if the perpetrator was caught, they couldn't receive a custodial sentence as well as a fine ?.And of course if there was any karma in the world they'd then fall over in the exercise yard and receive a good kicking from their fellow inmates...

Adam Beamish ● 2337d

Couldn't agree more with all you say, Adam. Though if they catch the wicked old bastard I'd hope the police will take turns to "take the knee" with him before he gets to court - hard to his wedding tackle.

Roger Talbot ● 2337d

What a horrible individual. I do hope he is caught.

Pippa Meldrum ● 2337d

There is provision for a custodial sentence up to six months. The problem will be finding and prosecuting the offender. The jogger who pushed a woman into the path of an oncoming bus in Putney was never found and the CCTV footage is too grainy to provide sufficient identification.Jogging causes a rise in testosterone and a consequential potential for aggression.

Charlotte Kasner ● 2337d

Sadly this Cygnet passed away this afternoon as its injuries were too great for it to overcome. Heartbreaking news  I can only hope his killer is brought to justice

Loraine Pemberton ● 2337d

I'm really sad to hear that, Loraine. Poor little innocent creature. I fear they'll never catch the callous bastard who did this.

Jill Merrett ● 2337d

It won't be his only crime.  People who do things like this often injure/kill animals and are also a danger to people. Hopefully he will be got one way or another.  Bet he won't be in Richmond Park for a while.

Claire Moran ● 2337d

On a more positive note, despite reports on social media that the police horse that bolted over the riots at the weekend has died, this is not true. She is safe and well.

Claire Moran ● 2337d

Did you see the vicious moron who chucked Santander bike at this poor terrified horse ? What did this cruel moron think - that horses are racist ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2337d

An update from Twitter:Sadly the cygnet died this afternoon as his injuries were too severe. The suspect was seen to kick another cygnet which thankfully managed to escape to the water. The jogger had a logo on his running top and is balding.

Jill Merrett ● 2337d