A swan had its neck snapped in a cruel attack on the protected bird in a busy park.
Passers-by saw two women attacking the swan in Chester-le-Street park, near Newcastle, on May 30, and Northumbria Police officers were called.
An RSPCA investigation is now underway in an attempt to track down the culprits, ChronicleLive reports.
RSPCA Inspector Trevor Walker said: “Police were initially called by a member of the public who saw a woman grab the swan, straddle the bird and wring its neck.
“Officers attended the scene where they found the adult swan dead - with a soft tissue injury consistent with being strangled - and spoke to two women in connection with the incident.
“The bird’s body was removed by council workers and we were contacted to investigate.”
He added: “This sounds like an extremely upsetting incident and this attack has led to the unnecessary, tragic death of a beautiful bird.
“I’d like to hear from anybody who was in the park at around 7pm on Thursday evening and who may have seen the incident or the women involved.
"Swans are protected and it’s illegal to kill one of these birds.
"Anyone caught deliberately trying to injure, kill or take a wild bird without a licence, can face up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine if found guilty under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message.
