The swan is being treated with anti-inflammatory drugs

The injured swan was found unable to balance and with his head tilting to one side in a field at Clyst St Mary near Exeter on Sunday 23 March by a local resident.

He was taken to the RSPCA's West Hatch Animal Sanctuary in Taunton where an x-ray revealed two airgun pellets in his head - it is thought they had been there for about a week.

The pellets are in a delicate position and removing them would be too risky.

'Horrendous suffering'

Instead the swan is being treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling and infection.

It is hoped he will regain his balance and survive without having to undergo surgery.

RSPCA vet Glen Cousquer said: "This illustrates the horrendous suffering that airguns can cause.

"This swan has undoubtedly been deliberately hit, and no doubt the person that did it thought they had hit the target and killed him.

"But he wasn't dead, and if he hadn't been found would probably have struggled on for weeks."

The RSPCA has been campaigning for many years to curb airgun attacks on pets and wildlife - last year the charity dealt with 900 such cases in England and Wales.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact the RSPCA.