ZELIENOPLE — The Zelienople-Harmony Sportsmen’s Club is offering a reward for information regarding the death of one of its pet swans.

The club’s 36 acres was home to a pair of swans for nearly four years.

But one of the male swans was found dead Thursday beside the large lake on the club’s property.

“It looked like it was hit in the head,” said Ruth Mullenax, the secretary of the club.

Mullenax said the birds were anonymously donated.

“We never did find out who gave them to us,” she said.

Mullenax said the club members had a close relationship with the swans, particularly her husband, Lewis Mullenax.

“My husband and I fed them every day, even in the winter,” she said. “We even cut a hole in the ice so they could dunk their bread.”

Mullenax said the swan would always run over to the couple’s truck when it approached the lake.

She said the other swan now seems upset.

“It looks like it’s walking around looking for its friend,” she said.

The club has about 26 acres of water which is frequently fished by its nearly 600 members.

You have to be a member of the club to fish on the property, but there are no physical barriers separating the property from the public.

Mullenax said the club contacted the Zelienople Police Department, who said to contact the state Game Commission.

“Then the Game Commission told us to contact our local police department,” Mullenax said.

Now the club is seeking information on its own.

“We’d like to offer a reward if someone has information on who did it,” Mullenax said. “We just don’t know which way to turn.”

This isn’t the first time the club has had an issue with people killing animals on its property.

Mullenax said one of its former members shot three ducks about three years ago.

“We were lucky enough to catch that on film,” she said. “That man is no longer welcome on the property.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lewis and Ruth Mullenax at 724-584-2503. Information may also be sent to the club at P.O. Box 55, Zelienople, PA, 16063.