Motor

Formula One fan swings swan by neck

NewsCore
Share This Story

Updated Mar 19, 2012 3:09 PM ET
     
 

Spectators say a drunk man grabbed a swan by the neck and swung it above his head "in a cruel attack" at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.

IT'S TIME

The Formula One season revved up with the Australian Grand Prix. Take a look.

Racegoer Leanne Wickenden said she saw a man pick up a bird and swing it two or three times before flinging it into Albert Park lake as she left the track.

"To witness such disgusting behavior was very upsetting and for me ruined what was otherwise a great festival weekend," she posted on the event's Facebook page. "I hope the girl who took photos of this creep manages to get him punished for such a cruel attack on this beautiful creature."

Australian Grand Prix CEO Andrew Westacott said the organization had received two reports -- one on its Facebook page and one to the emergency control center -- between about 5:00pm and 8:00pm Sunday and was investigating.

He said it was unlikely the "unacceptable" act would have been caught on CCTV so is asking anyone who saw the incident or took photos to come forward.

"Firstly I'd say it's totally unacceptable behavior and I was sickened to hear what had occurred, which is that people were tormenting swans and grabbing them by their neck and swinging them around," Westacott said.

A police spokeswoman said officers received a report of patrons tormenting birdlife about 5:00pm. She said officers attended but were "unable to detect any offense."

Westacott said Parks Victoria were checking over all the swans to look for any injuries. He added that CCTV footage was also being reviewed.

Formula One's season opener was won by McLaren Mercedes driver Jenson Button.

FOX Fantasy Auto Racing


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

Motor Videos

AMA MX 450: Hangtown Recap - 2013 Posted: May 19, 2013
AMX MX 450: Ryan Villopoto keeps his momentum from the SX season, going 1-1 for ...

V8: Coulthard Wins Race 15 - COTA 2013 Posted: May 19, 2013
V8: Lockwood Racing's Fabian Coulthard wins Race 15 at COTA, overtaking both Red...

V8: Jamie Whincup Wins 3rd - COTA 2013 Posted: May 19, 2013
V8: Jamie Whincup holds off Fabian Coulthard for his 3rd win in 4 races at Circu...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Mitchell & Ness Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird Green Authentic Throwback Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/118804/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_118000/FF_118804_xl.jpg&w=100 249.95 Mitchell & Ness Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird Green Authentic Throwback Jersey
    adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/172442/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_172000/FF_172442_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/173566/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173566_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Chicago Bulls Red Primary Logo T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Chicago_Bulls/browse/featuredproduct/173568/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173568_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Chicago Bulls Red Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird White Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/177922/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177922_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird White Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball..
    adidas Atlanta Hawks #21 Dominique Wilkins Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Atlanta_Hawks/browse/featuredproduct/177923/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177923_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Atlanta Hawks #21 Dominique Wilkins Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basket..
    adidas Los Angeles Lakers #32 Magic Johnson Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey - Gold http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/177924/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177924_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Los Angeles Lakers #32 Magic Johnson Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketbal..
    adidas New York Knicks #19 Willis Reed Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Knicks/browse/featuredproduct/178326/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178326_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas New York Knicks #19 Willis Reed Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Bas..
    adidas Philadelphia 76ers #6 Julius Erving Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Philadelphia_76ers/browse/featuredproduct/178582/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178582_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Philadelphia 76ers #6 Julius Erving Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman..
    adidas Houston Rockets #34 Hakeem Olajuwon Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/178773/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178773_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Houston Rockets #34 Hakeem Olajuwon Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basket..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft