A tragic incident unfolded this morning at the Bishop's Palace in Wells, where a dog attacked and killed a cygnet, where a young cygnet, part of a recent clutch of seven born on 20th April.

The moat, which has been home to swans since the 1850s—a tradition started when a Bishop's daughter supposedly taught the swans to ring a bell for food—experienced this tragic loss despite the protective efforts of the cygnet's mother, Grace.

Despite desperate efforts by the cygnet's mother, Grace, to fend off the attacker, the young bird succumbed to its injuries.

The news of the death has resulted in widespread sadness and anger on social media.

A spokesperson for the police said: "We are investigating the circumstances of the cygnet's death. We urge the public to adhere to local guidelines and keep dogs on a lead around sensitive areas like the moat."

Residents and visitors are urged to keep their dogs on leads at all times around the moat to prevent such incidents in the future.