Injured Swan

[kristy pound]

I phoned the RSPCA at 2:15 pm on the 7th November 2007 to inform them that I had found a injured swan at my local lake. I told them on the phone it was bleeding from its backend and right wing and that the swan was a cygnet. they took my contact number and stated as the swan was bleeding it was classed as a emergency and somebody would be out to me within 3 hours.

at that point I went back to my local lake to wait for the RSPCA to arrive at 3:15 I received a phone call from an inspector to check the directions so I confirmed them with him. I continued to stay with the young swan with my mother. at 5:35, as nobody arrived to deal with the swan, I phoned the RSPCA again to tell them the swan was getting distressed and deteriorating as it had started to get dark. at this time they assured me somebody was on there way so I continued to wait for them.

it got to 7;30 and the RSPCA was no where to be seen so I sent my mum home to go on the internet to see if there was anybody else who could help. half an hour later she returned to me to say that she had spoke to a gentlemen from the Cotswold swan & wildlife rescue centre in Cirencester. unfortunately he could not come to get the swan as he was on his way to gloster to go to a meeting. he advised us to cover the swan in leave to keep it warm and return to it first thing in the morning.

so this morning I arrive at the lake to see how the swan was I was just about to contact the gentlemen from Cirencester to say yes its still here come and get it when I realised it was to late. the swan had died. I think the RSPCA was cruel to leave a animal like that especially as it was a swan and they are known to be royal birds.

I would of thought the RSPCA would have bothered to do something this is not the first time. I have heard of this problem with the RSPCA about not caring for animals. if it was a human being ill-treated or hurt the police would be there asap. I phoned the RSPCA when I got back this morning and they did not really seem to care. all they said was that they would tell the inspector he is no longer needed.

what do you think?

[Blackbrook Eye]

Hi Kristy, Welcome to WAB. I understand what you are saying, and agree with your sentiments on this matter, but the RSPCA are under pressure dealing with people who have been reported for misdemeanors, like kicking their neighbors cat up the backside for attacking birds on their property and other such foul crimes, in most instances groups like the RSPCA are very quick to respond to distress calls, but cant be everywhere all of the time, its a matter of priorities. I am sure that on ballance they do more good than harm.

[jcd123]

Hi Kristy

It is very sad when you try to help and it seems the other party (whos job it is to care about wildlife)dosent seem to really care
I had a similar incident with a hedgehog, I took it in from the road not looking very healthy and contacted a hedgehog rescue group who advised me that they had noone to collect it so I took it to the Vets and they said they would get someone to treat it.

I rang them up about 4-5 hours later to see how it had got on and they told me no one had looked at it yet

I had a phone call 30mins later to tell me it had died

I guess it might have died anyway, but I think if they had looked at it earlier they just may have been able to save it.

But as Blackbrook said on the whole they do a really good job, but just occassionaly it all breaks down.

John

[kristy pound]

thats true but if it was me or you the paramedics would be ther asap
i dont se wat the diffrnece is

[NickCantle]

There is a huge difference. I know what with saying that I should really back myself up by articulating a reason but I don't feel I can do so without sounding 'negative' about the situation. Sure, I love animals to bits as do most people here, but when it comes to animal life in comparison to human life, isn't there such a significant leap? Having said that, to contradict myself, the RSPCA are there for animals specifically so really, more action should have been taken. I'm sure though that it wasn't in their intentions to drag it out so the swan would eventually die. I'm sure they get extremely busy and there's only a certain level of incidents that they can deal with at one time...

Nick.

[Adam Cheeseman]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The RSPCA are pretty useless when it comes to dealing with wildlife, they just aren't interested, and that isn't just my opinion, it's a wildly held one. You're better off getting in touch with the nearest, wildlife centre/hospital,etc.

Cheers,

Adam

[davejg]

Trouble is, there was no publicity milage in your swan, had you said there was something sticking out of it they would have been there double quick.
did they ever find out what happened to those 30 swans buried in bedford?

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

it's a wildly held one.

Sorry. Couldn't resist!
Just found that typo funny!
Doug

[naturelover]

Originally Posted by kristy pound

I phoned the RSPCA at 2:15 pm on the 7th November 2007 to inform them that I had found a injured swan at my local lake. I told them on the phone it was bleeding from its backend and right wing and that the swan was a cygnet. they took my contact number and stated as the swan was bleeding it was classed as a emergency and somebody would be out to me within 3 hours.

at that point I went back to my local lake to wait for the RSPCA to arrive at 3:15 I received a phone call from an inspector to check the directions so I confirmed them with him. I continued to stay with the young swan with my mother. at 5:35, as nobody arrived to deal with the swan, I phoned the RSPCA again to tell them the swan was getting distressed and deteriorating as it had started to get dark. at this time they assured me somebody was on there way so I continued to wait for them.

it got to 7;30 and the RSPCA was no where to be seen so I sent my mum home to go on the internet to see if there was anybody else who could help. half an hour later she returned to me to say that she had spoke to a gentlemen from the Cotswold swan & wildlife rescue centre in Cirencester. unfortunately he could not come to get the swan as he was on his way to gloster to go to a meeting. he advised us to cover the swan in leave to keep it warm and return to it first thing in the morning.

so this morning I arrive at the lake to see how the swan was I was just about to contact the gentlemen from Cirencester to say yes its still here come and get it when I realised it was to late. the swan had died. I think the RSPCA was cruel to leave a animal like that especially as it was a swan and they are known to be royal birds.

I would of thought the RSPCA would have bothered to do something this is not the first time. I have heard of this problem with the RSPCA about not caring for animals. if it was a human being ill-treated or hurt the police would be there asap. I phoned the RSPCA when I got back this morning and they did not really seem to care. all they said was that they would tell the inspector he is no longer needed.

what do you think?

hi again kirsty i now know why you were moaning about the rspca,thats disgusting that poor baby, poor you too that must have been a horrid thing to have to deal with,i dont know why the rspca praise there selves up so much,with their adds on tv saying how good and kind they are,its a load of rubbish what they say,i always thought that the people that work with animals were animal lovers,but they seem to worry about meetings more,hypercrits if thats how you spell it i dought it somehow never mind you understand i am sure.

[Squirrels]

Poor swan - what a shame that it died!

[demicav]

That's sad especially as you waited for so long. You did everything you could. Very sad.

[Gill Catton]

Sorry to hear this - I love swans - they all have different personalities..

I'd just like to say that if this happens again, go straight to the chap in Cirencester he is absolute gold - second to none I have met in terms of rescuing birds.........