Dawlish Town Council almost certainly is unable to take legal action against the owner of a dog which killed a black swan.
Town clerk John Winchester said this week that there were difficulties in proceeding with such an action.
Lack of suitable witnesses was one thing, but it would be difficult also to prove that the dog was not being kept under control.
Mr Winchester said the town council may well consider seeking further responsibilities for waterfowl warden Julian Lawley.
Teignbridge could be asked if it was possible for him to be able to 'patrol' the Manor Gardens and Lawn area with power to ensure dogs are kept on leads, for example.
The swan had to be put to sleep by a vet after it was attacked by a dog allegedly not under control in the Manor grounds in October.
Mr Lawley was called out by the RSPCA after the organisation had itself received a phone call from a member of the public.
The swan was a breeding cob and although a replacement has been found, it is thought unlikely there will be a new brood of cygnets this year.
Dawlish waterfowl warden Julian Lawley this week praised three Dawlish lads who helped a black swan trapped on a weir on the town brook.
Joe Chaprow, Dan Mildenhall-Ward and Chris Henley plunged into the flooded and freezing water on Tuesday to release the bird, which had got trapped in some twigs by Tuck's Plot.
Mr Lawley dashed to the scene after receiving a phone call from undertaker Geoff Wills to say the bird was trapped. But the lads had done the job by the time he arrived.
'I would just like to publicly thank them for their trouble and support,' said Mr Lawley.
'It was good to think that lads of that age – they were teenagers – were prepared to help. They were soaked to the skin.'
He took the swan to a vet for a check-over and the bird was returned to the water safely.