Dog owners are being asked to keep their animals on a lead after one savaged a cygnet in Dovercourt.

Stephanie Tyrer, chairman of the Harwich Environmental Action Team, said the baby swan which was killed was one of five which lived on the boating lake near the seafront.

She said: "We would appeal for owners to keep their dogs on a lead in that area, even if the swans are on the water, and along the promenade. It is actually an offence to hurt a swan or cygnet in anyway."

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