Bystanders were then forced to look on in horror as the bird attacked the dog with ‘one wing and then the other’.
One man said the blows stunned the animal and with ‘three or more slaps’ the dog was ‘gone’.
He told the Irish Times: ‘We started screaming at the swan, trying to distract it. The poor dog didn’t realise what was going on and swam straight for the swan.’
The man said the dog’s owner was so distraught by the incident, his phone fell into the pond.
He added: ‘They need to put up signs telling people to keep their dogs on leads around the pond. The swan was just protecting its cygnets.’
Man told 'I'll beat the gay out of you' for wearing tight shorts during PrideThe dog’s body was removed by Dublin City Council park rangers and signs have now been temporarily erected around the pond to warn owners about letting their pets enter the water.The swan, known as Mr Cob by locals, has since been put down. A spokesperson from Dublin City Council told The Journal: ‘Swans are wild birds and while it was only protecting its young, it led to an unfortunate outcome due to the dog swimming in the pond.’Here's an ingenious leash that has a built-in waste-bag dispenser and a compartment for keys, cards, phone, and treats.