THE RSPCA is hunting the callous person who shot a swan with an air gun – and warned the offender faces possible prison.

The adult mute swan that was shot in the head has been nursed back to health and returned to his mate by the RSPCA.

The poorly bird was taken to the charity’s West Hatch centre after a member of the public spotted it with a pellet lodged in its bill.

It was treated after arriving on February 25 and returned to the pond where it was found in Braunton, North Devon, the following day.

Speaking of its lucky escape, the RSPCA’s deputy chief inspector Anthony Frow said: “This poor swan had an air rifle pellet embedded on the fleshy lump at the base of his upper mandible.

“We have been told that this swan is one half of a mating pair and has been for many years and they have reared numerous cygnets together so it is lovely to be able to reunite them just in time for breeding season.

“The swan was taken to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton where the pellet was removed.

“Luckily no ill effects were caused by the pellet, however this could have been a different story seeing how close this pellet was to the swan’s head.

“I took the swan back the next day, where he was reunited with his mate.”

He said there is no excuse for such “callous” behaviour and warned that anyone who intentionally kills or injures an animal could be jailed for up to six months and fined a maximum of £5,000 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Insp Frow added: ““We are keen to speak to anyone who may have information relating to this matter as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call 0300-1238018.