Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was verbally abused at Ibstock's Sence Valley Forest Park earlier this month.

The incident happened around 10.45am on Sunday, 17 May.

A Leicestershire Police spokesman said: "A gentleman was shouted and sworn at by a male and a female after trying to encourage them to put their dog on a lead around some nesting swans.

"Were you at this location around this time and did you see or hear anything that was possibly connected with this incident?

"If so, please make contact with us on 101 quoting reference number 20*259449 and raise it for the attention of PC 237 Emma Holmes from our Rural Crime Team.

"Unfortunately this isn't the first incident reported to us regarding dogs being loose around wildlife and this is of concern to us."

On Tuesday, 19 May - just two days later - a Jack Russell attacked a swan at Whitwick's Hermitage Fishing Lake and Recreation Ground.

The swan's injuries meant the bird had to be euthanised.

The woman owner of the dog has contacted police and enquiries are continuing.

The Countryside Code states that when dogs are outdoors owners are responsible for ensuring they do not disturb wildlife, farm animals, horses or other people by keeping them under 'effective control'.

This means that owners must:

• keep their dog on a lead, or
• keep it in sight at all times and be aware of what it's doing and be confident it will return to you promptly on command
• ensure it does not stray off the path or area where you have a right of access