Four swans beaten to death 09 April, 2008 The Collingwood Humane Society and the local OPP detachment are appealing to the public for health after four mute swans were battered to death along the harbourfront lands. The first swan was discovered in the evening April 2 along the Harbourview Trail between Birch and Beech streets. That bird was still alive, although badly injured, and later succumbed to its injuries. A second was found not far away, Dorrie Butler of the humane society said. Autopsies determined the birds had been bludgeoned to death with an unknown object, Butler said, possibly a golf club or hockey stick. When Butler contacted the Enterprise-Bulletin last week, she was concerned the birds might have been shot, but she said she was waiting for an official determination on the cause of death. The OPP were called in to investigate and two more swans were found April 4 and 6. The two birds had similar injuries, Butler said. Mayor Chris Carrier said he would offer "no official word, but personally I find it a despicable act." "People feed these wonderful creatures and they become trusting of human beings and apparently some person or persons feel that this is an opportunity to perform an act of violence. "I am sure most people would agree that this is a most disgusting act of violence. Let us hope the culprits are caught and better yet let us hope they turn themselves in or someone who knows something turns the perpetrators in." Mute swans are not native to North America. Instead, they were introduced as "ornamental" birds by European immigrants lonely for the sights of home. They've adapted well to the environment since then and many feral birds can be found along the Ontario waterfront. They're a common sight here in Collingwood, with more than 20 birds frequenting the waterfront. The swans are especially popular with people who love to feed birds. The situation is reminiscent of an incident last year in Owen Sound when two mute swans were beaten to death in Harrison Park, sparking public outrage and a large reward for information. Two young men in their late teens were arrested and convicted in that case. "We got the first call last Tuesday night," Butler said Monday afternoon. "We came down to Birch Street and there was a swan that was badly injured. We took it home and it died that night. There was also one that was dead. Thursday night another in the same area was mutilated. They were (all) hit on the head between the eyes. It was a mess. Now the OPP have confirmed they found another one with the same kind of wound. It's almost like they've hit them with a golf club or hockey stick, something sharp." So far, Butler said, there seem to be no suspects. The investigation hasn't been able to narrow down the time of the attacks either. "We don't know whether it's happening in the daytime or the night-time. We just have to wait for someone to get the call. What we would ask people to do is go down to the water and if they see any abuse call the police immediately. If they find any other swans hurt or dead call the humane society immediately at 445-5204." Swans are approachable birds when they are being fed by humans and will come within reach, the OPP said in a press release. They've contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources and a conservation officer may be assigned to the investigation. "We are aware of the dead swans, but not investigating yet - right now the OSPCA has them for necropsy," said Deborah Styles, an information officer in the Midhurst office. "They're such a trusting thing when they're being fed," Butler said. "They're such a beautiful animal that people want to feed them. It's a pretty sad story. You have to wonder why this happens. We just have keep an eye out so we can nab these... people." Police are asking anyone with information to please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-877-847-7667.