The RSPCA wanted this bird to be killed

[Feefo]

I received this from Andy Mead of Safewings yesterday, he said the bird is a Lapwing and on the UK's endangered list, but I have just checked and found it is of medium concern:

Sadly once again the ignorance and poor attitude of the RSPCA employees is highlighted by a incident today.( Friday Feb 29th 2008 )

An RSPCA employee collected a bird from a member of the public and apparently did not know the species they handled.

The bird was, I assume inspected by the worker to assess the injuries but was subsequently taken to a Veterinary practice (in Corby) where the RSPCA lady requested that the bird be euthanased. Now with obvious limited wild bird knowledge and no veterinary qualifications how could this decision be made by an inexperienced person other than by deeming wild birds unviable for veterinary treatment and subsequent rehabilitation.

Had the RSPCA employee been experienced and fully checked the bird's injury it would have been apparent that the bird had been shot and this would have been a reportable offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Thankfully the Veterinary Practice concerned contacted ourselves before taking any action. On close inspection at the Practice and with discussing the birds condition with a Vet the wing injury was not too severe and has a good chance of rehabilitation with re-release as the main objective.

Andy wrote to the RSPCA asking them for details about where the bird was found so that he can report a wildlife crime and also so that if releasable it can be released into its own territory. The RSPCA have refused to reply on the grounds that they consider past correspondence about other matters with him to have been unfruitful (Andy is passionate about birds and not afraid to confront the RSPCA when they put the animal last, which is all too often.

Not surprisingly the RSPCA is quoted in a bird magazine as having said that they consider wild bird rehabilitation " Unviable " and that "All damaged birds are better off dead ". We knew that this is their attitude to pigeons, I didn’t realise that they applied it to all birds.

If any of you (UK or abroad) feel like writing to the RSPCA about their policies and opinions please do so.

John Rolls is the Director of Animal Welfare Promotion . The e-mail address we have is sowilkinson@rspca.org.uk

The letter and photo have been posted with Andy's permission.

Cynthia

[Pidgey]

As we all know, rehabbing is work and maybe they just don't want to do that.

Pidgey

[chriss80]

That is unacceptable! RSPCA have become so big that they forgot what they were created for. Typical attitude of big organizations and institutions. I will write them a letter one day and let them know what I think about them!

[jojo67]

Originally Posted by chriss80

That is unacceptable! RSPCA have become so big that they forgot what they were created for. Typical attitude of big organizations and institutions. I will write them a letter one day and let them know what I think about them!

Good on you chriss, Even having people who know little about their patience, in the wrong job.

[Rooster2312]

Why does this shocking story not surprise me!!

What a shocking and totally unacceptable 'policy' they operate with birds. It makes you wonder what other poor animals they also consider 'not worthy' of rehabilitation. Do these people ever take the time to educate themselves? Sadly not!!

Lindi

[Feefo]

It makes you wonder what other poor animals they also consider 'not worthy' of rehabilitation

Grey squirrels and Mutjack deers for a start. They refuse to even pick wounded ones up, fortunately other sanctuaries step in and give them a permanent home as they are unreleasable non-native species.

That is why it makes me so angry that the RSPCA gets so much in donations from people that believe that they actually care about animal suffering, while the sanctuaries that do the work are struggling to survive.

Cynthia