Swans and cygnets 'attacked by youths' with stones and catapults in Dorchester

John Martin, who lives near the River Frome in Dorchester, discovered that three young swans were missing from the river at approximately 6pm on Tuesday evening.

He became concerned and immediately set to work to find the lost cygnets.

Mr Martin said: “We live along the river at Hangman's Cottage and at the end of our garden a family with seven cygnets nest and rest.

Derek Davey, with a cygnet after they became separated during an alleged 'attack' by youths on the River Frome, Dorchester. Picture: Lesley Martin

“On Tuesday evening, we discovered three cygnets were missing and went in search of them.

“It soon became apparent that several dog walkers were also looking for them.”

During his search, he was told that a woman had witnessed three youths targeting the family of swans with catapults and stones to separate them.

He added: “We were told that an elderly lady had spotted three youths with catapults attacking the swans and throwing stones to separate them all.

“They then chased two of the cygnets down the weir into another part of the river. She obviously tried to remonstrate with them and shouted for them to push off.”

Mr Martin, along with Derek Davey - the swan warden at Weymouth's Radipole Lake - entered the river to find the swans.

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“After several hours, we located all three in different parts of the river and nearby banks and after an exhaustive hunt managed to find the traumatised swan family down by Kings Road”, Mr Martin explained.

“The cygnets were reunited with them successfully. The police and wildlife officer have been contacted.

“The youths haven't been located as yet, but as this has highlighted such a serious and traumatic event along this area everyone is looking out for any similar actions.”

Since the 'shocking' incident, Mr Martin said the swans have since returned to nest and rest at the bottom of their garden.

The reunited family on the River Frome, Dorchester. Picture: Lesley Martin

He said: "They are doing really well. They are back on our bank now and really happy."

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said that investigations are ongoing into what happened.

She said: “Dorset Police received a report at 9.29am on Wednesday, June 16 that a group of young people had been catapulting stones at swans in a river near to Glyde Path Road in Dorchester.

“Officers will be carrying out enquiries into the report. No arrests have been made.”