AN animal charity has been praised after a swan which was shot near Moulton made a full recovery and fathered cygnets.

Nicknamed Jaws for his feisty protection of his mate during nesting, the swan was shot four times on February 6 – in the head and both wings, with one bullet left lodged in his upper beak.

After being taken to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, where vets were unsure if he would pull through, he underwent an hour-long operation with no complications.

Jaws showed promising signs of aggression following seven days of antibiotics and isolation, and was released back onto the Weaver just 15 days after his admission.

Davenham resident Charlotte Wardle started volunteering with the RSPCA after reading the story of Mabel last year – the ‘celebrity’ swan who was shot and mauled by a dog on the River Weaver towpath.

She said: “The RSPCA has been amazing each time they have been called out to the river to help.

“I volunteer at the wildlife hospital – I do some fundraising for them and we have a little group of us who have a presence by the river and try to raise awareness.

“Being out on the river, we can see people are really willing to help and want to know more about what they can do. With giving the swans names, they become part of the whole experience of the river.

“We want people to be more aware of things like keeping dogs on leads as much as possible, and how to report things if you see anything suspicious.”

While this story had a happy ending for Jaws, his nine cygnets, and residents who have taken a renewed interest in the wildlife on their doorsteps.

Charlotte said: “Some people aren’t aware that the hospital exists, and the amount of effort they put in.

“The more people are aware, the better the chances of more success stories like this one.”