77079-9Staff at the Swindon Swan Sanctuary believe one person is responsible for a number of birds being abandoned in the town.

The Shrivenham Road-based sanctuary has been called out three times in recent months to rescue eight birds, all from the same spot.

And Sue Hulbert from the sanctuary is convinced it is the same person that is dumping them.

She said: "Someone is breeding them and dumping them. It's irres-ponsible."

Yesterday Sue had to rescue three greylag goslings from the site at Plaums Pit, in Rodbourne Cheney.

"They had been dumped over night and they were fox fodder," she said. "They wouldn't have stood a chance."

Earlier this month the sanctuary was called out to save two white runner ducks and in December they had to pick up three ducks from the same place.

The Swindon Swan Sanctuary relies solely on donations and Mrs Hulbert says spending time and money taking care of the dumped birds means they cannot help other injured animals.

"The money we are using is vital to help us with other wildlife," she said. "Someone is getting rid of these because they're letting their birds breed and they don't know what to do with them.

"They are not wild animals and they won't survive in the wild.

"They are not used to foraging, they are used to being fed."

The RSPCA has urged anyone who knows the identity of the people responsible to contact them.

RSPCA spokeswoman, Jo Barr, said: "There is no excuse for abandoning an animal, whatever the circumstances.

"If they have animals they can't keep for whatever reason help is always at hand from us and other organisations.

"And people can always re-home them themselves and make sure they have a responsible home.

"These birds are used to people and being fed by hand and they are easy targets for things like foxes and dogs."

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA on 08705 555 999.

l A hedgehog that was featured in the Adver after the Swan Sanctuary rescued it has found a new home.

Millie, as she is now known, had to have a leg amputated after breaking it on a lawn mower. Now an animal loving Adver reader has given her a home.

Shirley Forester, 52, a carer from Lawn, said: "I read the Adver every night and when I saw it her I wanted to help.

"We've got a cat called Masie so we've called her Millie. She will be looked after here and we've told the people at the sanctuary they can come and see her any time."

Gareth Bethell