THIS swan has been left alone to raise her seven cygnets after her partner was killed in an attack by a dog.

The male swan was badly injured in the attack on the towpath of Selby Canal and died nearly two weeks later from its injuries. The incident was not reported by the dog’s owner.

Because swans mate for life, the female swan is now in a vulnerable position as she raises her young, according to Annette Pyrah, of Selby Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation.

She said: “There are now many people monitoring the swan and her family and asking dog walkers to take responsibility for their animals by keeping them on a lead during the breeding season.

“No matter how placid the dog, once a panicked bird flutters and flaps, it immediately triggers some dogs to go into killing mode.

“Swans are beautiful birds which grace our lakes and canals and we have a duty and a responsibility to protect them from such attacks.

“The swan was nesting near the bank. She has now got seven cygnets and she is going to be very vulnerable alone rearing a large family of seven.”