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Locals in Limerick have been stunned by the horrible death of a famous black swan that attracted tourists to the city from far and wide.

According to The Limerick Leader, the black swan, known as Oz because the black swan is indigenous to Australia, was found along the river bank in Doonass near Castleconnell by a mother and child who reported its death to the LSPCA (Limerick Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). It is believed that the swan was strangled to death.

LSPCA Chairperson Geraldine Nardone told The Limerick Leader: “A rope was around its neck. It was choked to death. Young fellows must have hung him, what was the purpose, what kind of warped minds would do this?

“Swans get very trusting; they nearly come out of the water to you. It would be easy put a rope over its ahead. They did it for their own sick enjoyment.

Oz and another black swan turned up in Limerick out of the blue two years ago and because black swans are so rare in these parts, their presence attracted visitors from all over.

Oz spent most of its time in Castleconnell but had to move to Limerick City for a spell after wildlife photographer Kevin O’Dwyer, who christened the swan, saw some youngsters shooting at it with a pellet gun.

O’Dwyer is hoping to locate the other black swan as soon as possible in order to preserve its safety,

“Where is the other one is the question, where there is one there has to be the other one,” O’Dwyer told The Limerick Leader.

“I’d like it to put in to a wildlife sanctuary. If one is dead they might try and kill the other one,” he added.

One has to wonder what exactly was going through the head of the guilty party/parties involved. Terrible, terrible stuff.