A MAN has been fined £200 for allowing his dog to kill one of Astley Park's cherished black swans last December.

The Astley Village resident was convicted of failing to restrain his dog by magistrates in Chorley. He was also ordered to pay £50 court costs.

Visitors to the park watched in horror as the bird - only given to the council by an anonymous donor in September - was savaged by the dog and thrown back into the lake by the man.

The one-year-old Australian black swan was introduced as a mate for the lake's single other black swan whose previous partner flew away.

It was hoped the two would breed and that a family of black swans would become an established attraction on the lake.

The brutal attack prompted leisure chiefs to review park safety to provide additional protection for the wild birds.

Tragically, another black swan which replaced the dead bird was itself found dead in May, just weeks after it was introduced to the park. It is believed it was attacked by a fox.

Chorley Borough Council's community services chairman Terry Brown said: "We trust that this conviction sends out a firm message to anyone who fails to control their dogs in our parks."

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