The death of a swan in Carnegie Center has led Boston Properties to the decide not to bring in swans for beautification purposes in the future.
The decision came after West Windsor Animal Control Officer Bettina Roed spoke with officials at Boston Properties and urged them against bringing more of the non-native species to the center.
Boston Properties brought a pair of swans — male and female — to Carnegie Center for beautification purposes. The swans, which are not native to New Jersey, were brought in from an out-of-state breeder who altered the swans’ wings after birth to prevent them from flying away.
According to Roed, the male swan was killed on January 15 by what she suspects was a loose dog. She examined paw prints and boot prints in the snow and suspected that a person had brought the dog to run around in the area.
“There was no indication of a leash,” she said. “If the dog had pulled away from an owner, there would be a line from the leash in the snow.”
Roed said she was called by the staff at the Princeton Animal Hospital on Alexander Road, who were unable to provide a location. “A person stopped by the animal hospital,” to alert them of an injured goose down the street, she said. Because of the inaccurate description by the passerby, Roed had to drive around to find the injured animal, and found the swan dead in the area of 212 Carnegie Center, where the swans are fed.
Next to the parking garage is a detention basin near where the swans are fed. “Unfortunately, people like to bring their dogs there and let them run around,” she said.
Roed said she knew it was not a coyote because a coyote would have eaten the swan. Dogs, especially breeds that specialize in hunting, “have a stronger prey drive” and will go after a swan just to kill it, she said.
Swans are dangerous to people because they can break a human arm or leg. The male, she suspects, was trying to protect his mate, as swans are monogamous. But now, with the female swan alone and no other indigenous swans in the area, she will be left alone until the weather clears and officials can ship her back to the breeder.
“I had a conversation after what happened, and I made the recommendation against getting any more swans,” she said. Roed said another swan was killed by a dog in 2008 in the same spot near the feeding station.
While there is nothing Boston Properties could have done to prevent the swan’s death, bringing in more is not safe — for humans or the swans, she said.
“I just don’t feel it’s fair to get other swans just for the enjoyment of people if they can’t keep the swans safe,” she said. “This is beyond their control.”
Roed urged the public to drive slowly in the area of Carnegie Center. She also urged the public to call police if they see an unleashed dog in the area or other dangers posed to the swan.
