5:12pm UK, Tuesday May 25, 2004

It could almost be a title from a corny science fiction B-movie - the attack of the killer swans.

But it is no laughing matter for people in a sleepy Nottinghamshire town.

Some swans are not so loving as these two...

Over the past three weeks, two dogshave been killed by territorial swans in a park lake.

Mansfield District Council said a dog was drowned last week by a cob while playing in the Carrs park in Warsop, Nottinghamshire.

It said the animal had dived into the mill pond, the swan felt threatened and attacked the dog to protect his family.

The local RSPCA branch described the event as "highly unusual".

The incident is the second such death, after a dog was found drowned in the same pond two weeks ago.

On Sunday, a swan was attacked and badly injured by a dog on Berry Hill Park, in Mansfield.

Council cabinet leisure spokesman Councillor Danny McCrossan said: "These are quite frightening incidents.

"We are keen to warn dog owners that it is important in any public space to keep your dog under control.

RSPCA east region superintendent Tim Wass said: "In our experience this is a highly unusual incident and the first of its kind that I have heard of in 18 years with the RSPCA."