Another RSPCA wildlife letdown (upsetting)

[werdnal]

Just heard a chap on our local radio (Cornwall) telling how he rescued an injured deer from a river early this morning. He works at place overlooking the river in Truro. Arrived at work around 5.30am today, to find some employees concerned someone was stuck in the river. When he investgated he found it was a deer, trapped in deep mud in the rising tide. He waded out tied to a rope, into knee deep mud and waist deep water. Managed to free the deer and was dragged back to shore by his colleagues. The deer was obviously distressed and looked as if both back legs were broken, possibly been hit by a car. He put it in his van and phoned RSPCA for advice. They advised they would send an emergency response vehicle out to collect it.

3 hours later, no-one had turned up, so he rang them again, only to be told they couldn't attend and he was asked to take the deer to a local vet for destruction. Obviously, 2 broken legs mean it could never be put right, but at least it could have been saved 3 hours more suffering before its merciful release. The chap was obviously still very distressed several hours after the incident, and you could hear the emotion in his voice during the interview. Yet one more triumph for wildlife from the RSPCA - just confirms everything I always thought about them (which I cannot possibly put into words here as I'd be banned as a member!)

[demicav]

Originally Posted by werdnal

Just heard a chap on our local radio (Cornwall) telling how he rescued an injured deer from a river early this morning. He works at place overlooking the river in Truro. Arrived at work around 5.30am today, to find some employees concerned someone was stuck in the river. When he investgated he found it was a deer, trapped in deep mud in the rising tide. He waded out tied to a rope, into knee deep mud and waist deep water. Managed to free the deer and was dragged back to shore by his colleagues. The deer was obviously distressed and looked as if both back legs were broken, possibly been hit by a car. He put it in his van and phoned RSPCA for advice. They advised they would send an emergency response vehicle out to collect it.

3 hours later, no-one had turned up, so he rang them again, only to be told they couldn't attend and he was asked to take the deer to a local vet for destruction. Obviously, 2 broken legs mean it could never be put right, but at least it could have been saved 3 hours more suffering before its merciful release. The chap was obviously still very distressed several hours after the incident, and you could hear the emotion in his voice during the interview. Yet one more triumph for wildlife from the RSPCA - just confirms everything I always thought about them (which I cannot possibly put into words here as I'd be banned as a member!)

That sounds awful. I have heard some bad things about the RSPCA concerning wildlife. Like you say the deer could have been saved from all the extra suffering.

[eeyore]

nasty story though to be fair we dont know why the rspca couldnt attend - i very much doubt they were sitting arround with coffee and donuts , as an under resourced organisation they were almost certainly on another more pressing call.

you also have to wonder why if he had it in his van he waited three hours or indeed called the rspca in the first place - a call to directory enquiries for a local wildlife hospital would have been a more intelligent response.

[glsammy]

The part I don't like the sound of, if it's true, is that he was promised an emergency response vehicle was on its way. If I'd have been told that, I'd have waited as well.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by glsammy

The part I don't like the sound of, if it's true, is that he was promised an emergency response vehicle was on its way. If I'd have been told that, I'd have waited as well.

yeah fair point - but they dont have that many vehicles so it presumably either broke down or got diverted to somewhere more urgent - i would have waited too , but not for three hours.

I also think it is unfair to slate the RSPCA in the way that the original post does - they might not always do the best job known to man , but the country is better off with them than without them , and they are a charity trying to do an awful lot with very limited resources.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by eeyore

yeah fair point - but they dont have that many vehicles so it presumably either broke down or got diverted to somewhere more urgent - i would have waited too , but not for three hours.

I also think it is unfair to slate the RSPCA in the way that the original post does - they might not always do the best job known to man , but the country is better off with them than without them , and they are a charity trying to do an awful lot with very limited resources.

I do agree with you on the RSPCA. The dealings I've had with them have been very positive. I wouldn't for a minute call them based on a story like this, we simply don't have all the relevant information, there's plenty of possible reasons why they were delayed.
I can fully understand why the chap was very upset though, I certainly would have been if I'd been in his position. I'm not sure I'd have waited three hours either, but again I refuse to criticize him, his initial reactions were way above what many people would have done.
It's just one of those sad no win situations.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I'm not sure I'd have waited three hours either, but again I refuse to criticize him, his initial reactions were way above what many people would have done.
It's just one of those sad no win situations.

true enough - i would have more sympathy for him except that he clearly wasn't too upset to ring the local radio station and get on air to tell everyone how heroic he had been

[werdnal]

Regarding my slating the RSPCA in my original post, I have had several dealings with the RSPCA in recently years and found them appalling, especially where wildlife are concerned, so I am entitled to my opinion based upon the service I have received. Perhaps others have had better responses from them, but there have been several postings here recently along similar lines, so others have come across this situation before.

The feature on the radio was not the man himself ringing in and being "heroic"; the radio station is based on the same industrial estate as this all happened, and they got wind of the story and approached him! To be honest, I think he was heroic and should have sung his praises for what he did.

The RSPCA were approached for a reponse - radio station were very keen to put both sides of the story, but they were unavailable for comment. They are following up the story today. Would hate to be accused of being biased against them without good reason, but as I said, my own personal experience is that the RSPCA and wildlife don't mix.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by werdnal

Regarding my slating the RSPCA in my original post, I have had several dealings with the RSPCA in recently years and found them appalling, especially where wildlife are concerned, so I am entitled to my opinion based upon the service I have received. Perhaps others have had better responses from them, but there have been several postings here recently along similar lines, so others have come across this situation before.

The feature on the radio was not the man himself ringing in and being "heroic"; the radio station is based on the same industrial estate as this all happened, and they got wind of the story and approached him! To be honest, I think he was heroic and should have sung his praises for what he did.

The RSPCA were approached for a reponse - radio station were very keen to put both sides of the story, but they were unavailable for comment. They are following up the story today. Would hate to be accused of being biased against them without good reason, but as I said, my own personal experience is that the RSPCA and wildlife don't mix.

Believe me you are not on your own with your experiences. I think the RSPCA do a wonderful job in a lot of cases, but you will always get some people that don't quite give a 100 %, some people may be more dedicated than others. I think the RSPCA could have maybe telephoned earlier on to explain the situation and advise to take the Deer to a wildlife hospital, rather than leaving it for so long. I can understand the man being upset, I would be. The thing is, when a lot of people come across these animals they don't always know what to do for the best, many will ring the RSPCA, some will find a wildlife hospital, it depends on how aware a person is about what's available at that time. It's just a sad case to me of an injured Deer suffering.

[buzfuz8149]

Originally Posted by demicav

Believe me you are not on your own with your experiences. I think the RSPCA do a wonderful job in a lot of cases, but you will always get some people that don't quite give a 100 %, some people may be more dedicated than others. I think the RSPCA could have maybe telephoned earlier on to explain the situation and advise to take the Deer to a wildlife hospital, rather than leaving it for so long. I can understand the man being upset, I would be. The thing is, when a lot of people come across these animals they don't always know what to do for the best, many will ring the RSPCA, some will find a wildlife hospital, it depends on how aware a person is about what's available at that time. It's just a sad case to me of an injured Deer suffering.

Totally agree with every word that Demicav says.

[Gill Catton]

I think an awful lot of the problem is that you only speak to a national helpline and there a lot of lines of communication that can breakdown between the person in the call centre and whoever might be able to attend. It seems to me that it would be better if the person in the call centre gave you a number for your local branch who would probably be able to find out very quickly if they are able to help and if they can't, they could give you some advice as to the best course of action or give you a number for a recommended local wildlife rescue or something. The whole thing is so anonymous and you're left with no idea as to whether anyone is actually taking resposibility for your situation

[werdnal]

RSPCA gave their response on radio this morning.

First said their only officer available was in Plymouth, over 40 miles away.

They tried to ring the "rescuer" back within 10 minutes to advise of the problem, but couldn't reach him on the phone - find this a little difficult to understand as he was in his works premises at the time.

Then they called a local vet, who agreed to go out to the rescuer and deal with the deer. He spent some time looking but couldn't locate the premises - again, its a fish processing factory on a major industrial estate in the capital of Cornwall, and I would have thought not too difficult to find.

Finally, when the rescuer called back to enquire about the delay, they had to find another vet who was available to take the deer in (bearing in mind outside normal surgery hours), and arrange for him to take it there.

Total breakdown in communication and probably not entirely the RSPCA's fault, but I can still see how the rescuer was so upset about the situation.

[rspcavolunteer]

Well i understand where your coming from but the RSPCA is a charity and get absolutely no funding from the goverment and has someone has said the Inspector may have been needed for something else such as a dog attack or something more serious and Yet one more triumph for wildlife from the RSPCA - just confirms everything I always thought about them (which I cannot possibly put into words here as I'd be banned as a member!) isn't fair on them they have hundreds of cases to deal with!!

[eeyore]

for the record i've had a lot of contact with the rspca both on the rescue side and the investigative side and i have to say that in my experience they do decent job with very little resource.

of course glitches do occur and they arent perfect - but then no one is - who can honestly say that they have never made a mistake , missed a call , got sidetracked by an unforseen emergency, or had to choose between two equally pressing matters - unless you can, then it isnt really fair to criticise the RSPCA inspectors/volunteers for being human - just like you

[The Black Rabbit]

Its always easier to criticise an organisation like the RSPCA, without knowing the whole story.
I, myself, have always found the RSPCA first class.
I guess I'm just lucky?
TBR

[rspcavolunteer]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

Its always easier to criticise an organisation like the RSPCA, without knowing the whole story.
I, myself, have always found the RSPCA first class.
I guess I'm just lucky?
TBR

No your not lucky some people are jusy unlucky and eeyore i wasn't actually talking to you and eeyore is right RSPCA workers are just human and we do make mistakes like everyone does but the Inspectors and ACO's do their best.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by rspcavolunteer

and eeyore i wasn't actually talking to you

on a forum you are talking to everybody - thats what they are for - if you want to have a private discussion thats what the pm function does

[Deer Hunter]

Werdnal
Seems about right the RSPCA Inspector was in Plymouth. Pity the deer was not in Plymouth, but then the RSPCA Inspector would have been in Truro.

Heard this type of story many many times over the years, what you must relise its the weekend - Saturday, Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gaina]

Originally Posted by eeyore

you also have to wonder why if he had it in his van he waited three hours or indeed called the rspca in the first place - a call to directory enquiries for a local wildlife hospital would have been a more intelligent response.

That's a good point. I suspect that when the general public think of 'Animal Emergency Services' most would think of RSPCA or maybe PDSA. I think it would be a great help if local Wildlife Hospitals were listen in the front pages of your local directory, like Yellow pages or 'Thomson Local'.

[FoxtonWildlifeRescue]

Hi

I'd just like to add my experiences of the RSPCA. We run a Wildlife Hospital in Leics and the I have always found the ACOs excellent.

Again, it is only my personal experience, but all of the ACOs have become friends over the years. They bring us food and do all they can to help us. They do care! I can also tell you that they are generally exhausted from traipsing from part of the county to another and that, I imagine, was the problem in this case. The trouble is that they are just spread too thin.

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

Werdnal
Seems about right the RSPCA Inspector was in Plymouth. Pity the deer was not in Plymouth, but then the RSPCA Inspector would have been in Truro.

Heard this type of story many many times over the years, what you must relise its the weekend - Saturday, Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We found a lethargic heron in the river a few years ago on a sunday afternoon stroll; we managed to get it home and rang the RSPCA, they took an hour but we were really pleased they turned up at that time and day. They even kept us posted with treatment, turned out the heron died of lead poisoning but I was grateful to the rspca guy for turning up.

I used to be in court quite often with my old post, nearly every time I was there, an rspca guy would be there prosecuting people for terrible cruelty to animals, he said a lot of their funds were used to prosecute people in the hope it wld deter others and ensure they couldn't keep animals again. Again very impressed and felt quite humbled by what they do. Good and bad in all organisations but overall I think we'd be far worse without them.

[FoxtonWildlifeRescue]

I'd just like to add one more thing to this thread.

Just saw Kim an RSPCA ACO the other day as she bought us a batch of 11 rescued ducklings. She had a further 15 jobs to attend!!!! obviously, she can't be in 15 places at the same time. People here laying into the RSPCA haven't got a clue!!! If you don't know what you're talking about, just don't say it!