A SWAN has been shot dead at a park.

The swan was found lying dead in the water at Southwater Country Park in Horsham on Friday.

A Horsham District Council spokesman said after being taken to a vet, it was confirmed that the swan had been killed by a shot to the side of the head with a ball bearing style projectile - likely to be from a rifle or catapult.

The swan was one of three cygnets at the park.

“This incident has now been reported to Sussex Police,” the spokesman said.

Sussex Police has been contacted for comment.

The Argus: A swan was shot dead at Southwater Country Park in Horsham A swan was shot dead at Southwater Country Park in Horsham

A number of fish were also found dead in the park’s fishing lake in an “unrelated incident”.

The council spokesperson said a small number of fish died in the lake during a recent spell of hot weather.

“The Environment Agency attended the site and confirmed that the fish died due to low oxygen levels as a result of the hot weather,” he said.

“The council worked with the Environment Agency to re-oxygenate the water which is now at satisfactory levels.”

Anyone with information that could help police with their investigation into the killing of the swan is encouraged to call 101, or go online to https://www.sussex.police.uk/reportcrime.