River patrols to protect ducks after fatal attack

Volunteers are to patrol a section of river after ducks were attacked and their eggs smashed.

At least one bird died after being targeted on the River Frome in Dorchester, Dorset, on 16 May.

Ian Griffiths said he and his daughter witnessed the aftermath and tried to rescue the injured animal but it died in his arms.

After hearing about the attack, concerned resident Gillian May launched Dorchester Duck Patrol and is appealing for volunteers to walk the stretch of the river.

She said: "It just pulled at my heart strings. It's not the first time it's happened. It's horrific.

"It's time to take action and do something. I'm hoping to get all the residents to help. I just want people to do an hour of patrolling.

"I'm passionate to do something but I cannot do it alone."

Warning: Some readers might find the photographs in this story upsetting.

May has already revealed designs for high-vis vests and has lined up a meeting with Dorchester Town Council to discuss what else can be done, such as installing CCTV or signage.

She said: "I want to go into schools, do some talks.

"I think it's local kids. If they think killing animals now is great, when they get older, what other crimes are they going to do?"

Griffiths said he had been walking on the path behind the old prison when a group of ducks "came zooming around the corner in distress, quacking like mad".

He said: "One was visibly injured with blood pouring out of its neck.

"My daughter waded in to save it from drowning but shortly after, on the way to the vets, unfortunately it died in my arms."

He said the duck had suffered injuries to its beak, cheek and neck, and birds' eggs had also been smashed on the path.

Griffiths said four teenagers, who were "laughing and peeping around the bushes", claimed they had seen people throwing rocks at the birds.

Dorset Police said it received a report at about 18:30 BST on Saturday 16 May about a group of teenagers reportedly firing a catapult at ducks in the area of Frome Terrace.

A spokesperson said enquiries were ongoing.

In 2023, police increased patrols along the river after more than 20 birds, including ducks and seagulls, were killed by teenagers using catapults.