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A swan has lost the use of its wing after being savaged by a dog.
The cob had been with its mate and cygnets on the boating lake at Barton's Point Coastal Park, Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey when a lurcher jumped into the water and grabbed it round the neck.
The horrifying attack happened in full view of parents and their children who were trying to cool down near the water's edge on one of the hottest days of the year.
Eye-witness Mel George said: "I was there with my children at 11.30am on Wednesday when we heard a load of commotion. I turned round to see a dog in the water with a swan in its mouth.
"I don't know if the swan attacked the dog first, because it was there with another swan and its babies but it was horrendous to see.
"Thankfully, people tried to help the swan and the dog's owner finally got the dog off and the swan managed to swim away."
Among those who waded in to help was plucky pensioner Tony Austen, 76, of Southsea Avenue, Minster. The retired engineer jumped into the lake fully clothed.
He said: "I was walking my 13-year-old Jack Russell called Rusty when I heard the lurcher's owner scream.
"I jumped into the water and shouted at the dog and chucked pebbles at it. It's owner managed to force her dog's jaws open.
"The swan's partner tried to intervene. When I climbed out I told the kids who had been watching that if the swan had died its babies could also have died."
The injured swan, called Charlie by volunteers, was later rescued by Swampys Wildlife Rescue based in Sheerness and taken to a swan sanctuary in Shepperton where a vet was trying to save its wing.
Swampys' owner Ray Allibone said: "The swan sustained injuries front and back as a direct result of a black lurcher. We need information about the dog and its owner."
His team finally caught the frightened swan at 9pm on Wednesday night and drove it 70 miles to get treatment.
Mr Allibone, who is normally more at home looking after abandoned hedgehogs, said: "The wing has suffered bruised tendons and will take a while to repair. The swan will be flightless for a while but he is medication and responding. When he is stronger I will collect him."
He added: "As a rule I don't count how much these rescues are but it has turned out quite a costly operation. Most of Wednesday afternoon was spent trying to capture the injured swan. I had to pay the cost of the fuel and will have to pay the vet and didn't get home until 4.55am on Thursday all because somebody didn't have the common sense to put their dog on a lead."
But he praised everyone who helped him trap the swan. He said: "It could have gone on longer at further risk to the swan if they hadn't helped."
He added: "Many are concerned about how this ordeal will affect his mate and babies. The family will be OK. She will continue to look after the babies herself."
It is not the first time the swans have been separated. A few years ago the female had to be treated after being attacked by a dog.
Mr Allibone said: "The male swan had to look after the babes then. After a few days they were reunited and everything was UK..
One woman wrote on Facebook: "As the owner of a (white) lurcher, they cannot be trusted off the lead as they will chase anything.
"Hopefully, the owner has learned that lesson now. It is not the dog's fault. It is a lurcher's instinct to hunt. They were once known as poachers' dogs."
The family of swans is a familiar sight at the Swale council-owned public park and are favourites with children.
They have also learned to cross a busy road by using a pedestrian crossing.
To donate to Swampys Wildlife Rescue click here.
Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.
