Police are hunting cruel offenders who decapitated birds at a Wigan nature reserve.
A Mute swan and a coot were caught in fishing line baited with bread at Pennington Flash Country Park before being killed by the yobs.
At about 6.30pm on Thursday 2 September 2010 the birds were caught by fishing line and hooks baited with bread. They were then beheaded.
Officers now want to speak to a man who alerted the park rangers to the fact that he had seen two men on the shoreline trying to catch wild birds. The man left in his car, which was parked outside the golf shop, before the ranger was able to take his name and contact details.
Police Constable Chris Clarke, of the Leigh Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "These birds have suffered horrific deaths and all right-thinking people will no doubt be appalled.
They are beautiful wild birds that are protected under law. Whoever carried out this needless slaughter clearly intended to cause as much suffering as possible.
I now want to hear from the potential witness who left in his car. He has vital evidence which may help convict whoever did this.
I would urge him or any other person who witnessed this incident to contact me at Leigh Police Station on 0161 856 7225."
Three men aged 44, 40 and 23 were arrested on suspicion of killing a non schedule 1 Wild Bird contrary to Wild Life and Countryside Act 1981. They have since been released without charge.
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