UPDATED REPORT: Police investigating the death of a swan now say that it might have died some time ago.
Earlier today (Tuesday), police issued a statement referring to a ‘mindless act of animal cruelty’.
At about 5pm on Saturday (September 14) police were told that there was a dead swan in the harbour near to the bridge on Bowring Road in Ramsey.
They launched an investigation into animal cruelty and this morning made a plea for more information from the public through iomtoday.co.im and other Manx media.
However, after the police statement was reported, a member of the public told officers that they had observed a dead swan in the same location several hours before an incident was reported to the police.
Indeed, an elderly swan that nested in the area had not been seen for about two weeks.
Three youths, aged between 14 and 16, had been seen near the dead swan on Saturday. In spite of the suggestion that the bird’s death might have occurred some time ago, the police still want to talk to them.
Two were wearing light blue ‘hoodies’ and the other was wearing a black jacket. It is believed they walked towards town on Saturday afternoon.
The area was busy at the time as people were leaving the football stadium.
If anyone has any information they should contact Constable Mark Hempsall at Ramsey police station on 812234 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.