A female swan has died after its mate died after being attacked on the Ashby Canal, in Moira, leaving their cygnets orphaned.

In June, the male swan had to be put to sleep after being attacked by a dog and now his mate has also died after being injured by a fishing hook.

The cob had to be put to sleep after he was found with a gaping hole in his back and could not be saved.

Two weeks later, on Wednesday, July 4, the swan's female mate was found with an injury from a barbed fishing hook.

The hook had damaged her tendon and become badly infected.

The pen was taken to an RSPCA centre but her condition deteriorated and she had to be put to sleep, said a spokesman.

The cygnets are now living in the centre with other rescued animals

The deaths meant their five cygnets were left orphaned and because they are too young to look after themselves, they are now in the care of the animal charity.

Neil Astle, an animal collection officer from the RSPCA, said: "It is awful that this family of swans has been decimated by the careless actions and irresponsible behaviour of a few.

"It was terribly sad when I went to attend the male swan as he was clearly suffering and could not be saved so a decision was made to put him to sleep.

"As I took him away the female was calling to him, it was awful and because she was so distressed so were the cygnets.

The swan and its cygnets in the canal before it was put to sleep

"This terrible incident could have been avoided had the dog-owner been responsible and kept their pet on a lead.

"Then the female had to be put to sleep after getting an infection from a barbed fishing hook which shouldn't be used as they are designed to rip the flesh.

"This too easily could have been avoided if someone had disposed of their fishing hook correctly in the first place.

Things you might not know about swans

The Queen owns any unclaimed mute swan in open water in both England and Wales. This has been a law since medieval times.

Every year there is a census of all the swans in the River Thames.

In the UK, this is called Swan Upping and occurs in the third week of July each year. The Queen, in her 64 years on the throne, has only ever personally attended the event once in 2009.

Swans feed in water and on land. They are almost entirely herbivorous, although they may eat small amounts of aquatic animals. Their diet is composed of the roots, tubers, stems and leaves of aquatic and submerged plants.

Although swans only reach sexual maturity between four and seven years of age, they can form life partners from as early as 20 months that last for many years, and in some cases these can last for life.

The lifespan of the mute swan is often more than 10 years, and sometimes more than 20.

"This has left five cygnets orphaned which is so sad but these kind of tragic incidents appear to keep happening."

As Mr Astle was taking the injured swan and cygnets to Stapeley Grance Wildlife Centre, near Nantwich, he received a second emergency call reporting that a swan in Stoke was bleeding heavily.

This swan and cygnet are now recovering

When he arrived at the scene, he found the swan also had a barbed wire hook in her - this time through her tongue.

She was also taken to Stapeley Grange for treatment, but the following day, he was called back to the same spot to rescue one of the cygnets who was wrapped in fishing line and struggling to move. The cygnet is now also being cared for at the centre, along with its mother.

Mr Astle said: "Fishing litter in our waterways is a major problem and it is so damaging to wildlife.

"I would urge people to be responsible and remember to take home any litter if you go fishing - discarded lines and hooks can easily snag water birds and other wildlife, causing terrible injuries and suffering.

"All it takes is a little thought and care and an animal's life could be saved."

It is hoped all the rescued birds will be able to return to a natural habitat once they are strong enough.

Swan eggs destroyed by thugs

Six swans eggs which were due to hatch at a Burton beauty spot were smashed by "sadistic" thugs in Friar's Walk in May.

The RSPCA was called after a shocked local, who had been watching the swans caring for their precious eggs over a period of several weeks, came across the scene of devastation on Saturday, May 5.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Laura Baker said: "I can't imagine what would possess anyone to do such an evil thing.

"This was a mindless act of violence. The distressed parents had been caring for those eggs for weeks and they were close to hatching out into little cygnets.

"The caller was very shaken, having passed by the nest on a regular basis and watched as the swan couple started their new family.

"There are potentially some really serious offences here. Swans, their eggs and any active nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

"We really want to hear from anyone who might have seen something or knows anything about this awful incident, so please do call our appeal line on 0300 1238018 if you can help."