United Kingdom: Twelve swans shot on the River Thames in a brutal bout of animal cruelty within a stones throw of Windsor Castle

UNITED KINGDOM -- Twelve swans have been shot on the River Thames in a brutal bout of animal cruelty within a stones throw of Windsor Castle.

Two had to be put down after they were shot in the head, according a rescue and treatment center called Swan Support.

"The bullets were still embedded in two of the swans we helped this week, one had bounced off the eye socket of another and one went straight through the other."

After rescuing so many deliberately injured swans in recent months Mrs Hermon is no longer surprised by anything.

"It makes me more angry than upset now. Why do they do it?" -- Wendy Hermon from Swan Support

Eight were blasted with an air rifle shot on January 29 while a further four were shot on January 24.

The first four birds were all shot in the eye.

A month ago a swan was found battered to death in Barry Avenue, a short distance away.

A month before that three birds were shot on the same stretch of river, the Windsor Observer reported.

Information to police about any attacks on river birds by call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(ITV - Jan 29, 2017)