TODAY's front page story of a Severn swan being shot and left for dead will, we suspect, bring feelings of anger and shame in equal amounts to most of our readers.

The adult bird was found close to the river by The Ketch pub, St Peter's with a air gun pellet lodged in its throat.

The bird should survive the ordeal, according to a local veterinary surgeon, but the more sickening news to emerge is that this is not an isolated case.

The vet has said that he sees quite a few shot swans.... "four of five this year".

How can people do this?

How can they do this and not been seen?

These are question that need answered, but the answers will be hard to find.

It is a sad indictment of modern society that communities seem to tolerate behaviour that not many years ago would have been unthinkable.

This bird was defenceless against a cowardly attack of this kind.

The birds injured in the previous attacks were equally defenceless.

This paper urges those living close to the river and those who use the riverside for recreation to be vigilant and report any suspicious incidents to the authorities in the hope that a prosecution may follow.

Cruelty of this kind should not, and hopefully will not, be tolerated.