CRUEL yobs stoned a swan at a Greenock beauty spot and left the bird so badly injured that it had to be put down.
The outrage happened at Murdieston Dam on Saturday night at around 8.30pm.
A shocked dog walker alerted police to a group of vicious youths attacking the swan.
Police officers and the Scottish SPCA rescue charity attended but it was too late to save the swan.
Sergeant Kayley Teasdale of Greenock police said: “It was reported that a group of youths were throwing rocks at the swans.
“One swan suffered a broken leg and subsequently had to be put down.”
Sgt Teasdale says a hunt is now under way to find the thugs responsible, adding that ‘enquiries are ongoing’.
Local residents have been left sickened over the brutal incident.
Iain Freer, who stays in Glenview Terrace, told the Tele this is just the latest in a string of anti-social behaviour issues which have been affecting the area.
The 75-year-old, who is secretary of Cowdenknowes Residents’ Association, said: “The youths just can’t leave anything alone.
“The other weekend cars were vandalised in the street.
“They are forever at the wee hut at the model yacht club beside the dam causing trouble as well.
“But to do this to a swan is absolutely terrible.”
Iain says the swans at the dam are considered part of the local community.
He said: “I’ve lived here for 34 years and they’ve been here since then.
“I can also remember them as a child.
“The swans are an important part of this community.”
Fellow local resident Jacqueline Straiton says she is appalled by the attack.
She said: “The swans are lovely — my granddaughter always loves seeing them and we come down most days to feed them.
“It’s absolutely awful that this has happened.”
Community campaigner Ivy Siegfried, who also lives near Murdieston Dam, was upset when she heard about the cruel attack.
She said: “The swans are so lovely, they don’t bother anyone.
“How would these people like it if someone threw rocks at them?”
Just a few months ago Ivy raised concerns with the Tele about drunken teenagers gathering at the beauty spot, running amok and terrorising residents.
She says the yobs are still causing problems.
Ivy said: “At about 5.30pm on Saturday night I saw a bunch of girls going into the grounds of Notre Dame High School and there were boys too.
“They go round the back of the pitches to drink, that’s where they meet up and then they head over to Murdieston Dam.
“I’m fed up of this and I am not the only one.”
The Scottish SPCA said: “We assisted Police Scotland with an injured swan in Greenock over the weekend following a call to our animal helpline.
“Unfortunately the swan had to be put to sleep due to the extent of its injuries.”
Anyone who knows the people who attacked the swan is asked to call police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.