RSPCA News

Tiny puppy the size of a hand dumped with injured eye

16.05.12

An RSPCA inspector is appealing for information after 'one of the tiniest puppies' she has ever dealt with was dumped with a ruptured eye, during the recent bitterly cold weather.

Little Bob measures just five inches from neck to bottom. He was abandoned last month in the car park of a vet’s surgery in High Street, Redbourn, St Albans.

The poor pup was believed to have been dumped overnight on 26 April and was found by veterinary staff the next morning.

Little Bob lucky to have survived

Little Bob had been left in a cardboard box, but had managed to get out, and was wandering around aimlessly in the car park.

To make matters even worse, Little Bob was dumped with a ruptured eyeball, completely emaciated and suffering from sarcoptic mange.

His eye injury was so bad that it sadly had to be removed by vets, as nothing more could be done to save it.

RSPCA Inspector Mel Fisher, said:

Poor Bob - he is absolutely tiny, and fits in the palm of your hand. He is only around eight weeks old and is probably the tiniest puppy that I have known to be abandoned.

He was dumped during some horribly cold weather, and on top of that he had his ruptured eye and was so skinny, he is a very lucky pup to have survived.

He really has been through it all and he is currently suffering from sarcoptic mange and is riddled with worms.

I cannot believe that someone would do this to such a poor innocent animal.

But he is a fighter and is pulling through and I just hope we can find the person responsible for dumping him.

Bob is currently being cared for by fosterers as he needs further veterinary treatment.

He weighs just over a kilo and he is currently wearing a dog coat which was made from a woolly hat that was cut in half.

Appeal for information

Can you help?

If you have any information about Little Bob, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, we'd really like to hear from you.

Please call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line: 0300 1234 999. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

Thank you.

Justice for Akita left to die

Horrific case of animal cruelty

16.05.12

A woman who left her collapsed Akita dog with maggot-infested wounds out in her garden to die has been banned for life from keeping animals.

Medway Magistrates today heard that Julie Helen Walker of Gillingham, Kent, left her 12-year-old Akita named Ruby to die in the back garden.

When Ruby was found she was emaciated, infested with maggots and suffering from painful ulcers and an eye condition that made it agony even to blink.

Ignorance is no excuse

Walker was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog in August last year at an earlier hearing.

When RSPCA Inspector Caroline Doe arrived at the house she found Ruby collapsed and unable to stand. She told the court:

I have never before seen a dog in such a terrible condition. I could literally smell her rotting away, yet she was still alive.

Ruby was taken straight to a vet and immediately put to sleep to end her suffering.

Walker was asked to contact us but ignored all the messages. When Caroline eventually got to interview Walker she was told that she did not realise Ruby was so ill.

Justice for Ruby

On Monday, 14 May the court gave Walker a 26-week jail sentence, suspended for two years.

She was ordered to pay £3,000 costs, given an electronic tag and ordered to observe a curfew from 7pm to 7am for six months.

Caroline added:

There was simply no excuse for the horrendous way this dog suffered. There is always help available if people can’t cope.

Rising tide of animal cruelty

We recently reported a rising tide of animal cruelty.

Whilst we show zero tolerance to animal abusers, as a charity, we're struggling to keep up with the demands on our resources.

Please, help us to continue to prevent cruelty to animals by making a donation online today. You can make a difference to an animal's life.

Thank you.

Nominations for RSPCA Council

16.05.12

Members of the RSPCA are now invited to vote in the 2012 RSPCA national Council election.

The RSPCA Council comprises up to 25 volunteers elected to serve as the charity trustees of the Society.

Fifteen national Council members are elected by the votes of RSPCA members and serve for three years, retiring on a rotational basis.

This year, there are five vacancies for national Council members to be filled and nominations have been received as follows, in alphabetical order:

Mrs Margaret Baker
Mrs Christine Beaumont Kerridge
Mr David Canavan
Mr Kenneth Instone
Mr David Mawson
Ms Jane Tredgett.

How members can vote

RSPCA members have the option to register their votes online or by post.

Instructions on how members can register their votes are included in the election material sent to them.

Voting closes at 3pm on Tuesday, 12 June 2012.

Results to be announced at AGM

The results will be announced at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, 30 June 2012, which is to be held at:

The Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road
London
SE1 6HZ

Find out how RSPCA members can apply for admission tickets to the AGM. Applications must be received by Friday, 15 June 2012.

Not an RSPCA member? Why not join us today.

Rabbit on with RSPCA Mobile!

An innovative way to support animal welfare

15.05.12

We are the first charity in the UK to launch its very own mobile phone service.

RSPCA Mobile offers a new way to support us with up to 15 per cent of the value of all your top ups helping us fight animal cruelty.

The RSPCA Mobile service is hosted in partnership with Shebang Technologies Group Limited - one of the largest independent mobile phone connectors in the UK.

And throughout the month of May, Go Mobile and Affordable Mobiles.co.uk (both owned by Shebang) will also be donating £1 for every RSPCA Mobile phone contract connection.

Benefits for you

We offer a range of pay as you go mobile phones and accessories to suit your needs.

Phone calls and texts are up to 40 per cent cheaper than the UK's major networks.
Plus you get 99.8 per cent UK coverage.

Keep your number

It's really easy to bring your existing phone number to RSPCA Mobile.

Keep your phone

You can also keep your existing mobile phone and just get an RSPCA Mobile sim pack.

Whatever you choose to do, we'll help you every step of the way.

'A simple way to incorporate giving into your expenditure'

RSPCA Corporate Account Manager, Andrew Lyons, says:

As for many charities, this is an incredibly tough time for the RSPCA so we are always working on new fundraising ideas.

Statistics recently released by the RSPCA show that we have seen an increase in the number of calls we are receiving and the number of animals that need rescuing and caring for.

Costs are increasing all round and at the same time, members of the public are also feeling the squeeze and finding it harder to make donations.

The RSPCA Mobile service offers a very simple way for people to incorporate giving into their everyday expenditure.

Join RSPCA Mobile today!

We need your support more than ever so that we can continue to be there for animals in need.

So please consider switching to RSPCA Mobile. To find out more visit:

www.rspcamobile.co.uk

And watch out for pay monthy options coming soon!

RSPCA AGM notice

15.05.12

This year's RSPCA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at:

The Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road
London
SE1 6HZ

Date: Saturday, 30 June 2012
Time: 11am to 1pm (registration from 10.15am)

AGM admission tickets

Members of the RSPCA can apply for admission tickets by writing to:

Chief executive
RSPCA
Wilberforce Way
Southwater
Horsham
West Sussex
RH13 9RS.

Applications for AGM admission tickets must be received by Friday, 15 June 2012.

Meeting agenda

The aims of the meeting include:

to receive the Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts for 2011
to report the results of the elections to Council
to consider any approved resolutions.

Notice of any resolutions must be sent to the chief executive at the RSPCA (address as above) and received no later than Friday, 1 June 2012.

Read our guidance on resolutions proposed by members (PDF 43.2KB).

Not an RSPCA member? Why not join us today.

Could you give a young horse a stable future?

Horse crisis continues

14.05.12

We've launched an emergency appeal to find foster homes for hundreds of young horses as the number in our care has doubled in the past year.

We are currently looking after 600 ponies and horses which have suffered neglect and cruelty and almost half of them are youngsters.

To tackle the growing horse crisis we have launched our stable future appeal to find fosterers to temporarily look after some of our 270 youngsters which are too young to be ridden.

Sally Learoyd, our equine rehoming officer, said:

Over the past year we’ve seen a huge increase in the amount of horses being disowned or allowed to get into an appalling state because the trade in horses has collapsed.

Young horses being sold in pubs for pocket money prices

Sally added:

I’ve heard of young horses being sold for £5 – less than the price of a bottle of wine.

I’ve heard of horses being bought and sold in pubs and we’ve come across a case of someone keeping a horse on a tower block balcony and feeding it on kitchen scraps.

We have a never-ending tide of young horses coming into our centres. Fostering our youngsters is a way that horse lovers can help us with this problem.

The recession, rising hay costs and irresponsible breeding are thought to be to blame for the rising number of horses being neglected and abandoned.

We found new homes for a record number of horses over the past year but we simply cannot keep up with the flood of animals which need our help because of terrible neglect and cruelty.

We face a huge £3.2 million bill just to care for the influx of ponies and horses which does not include vet bill or prosecution costs.

What you can do to help

To help ease the crisis we are urging horsey heroes to foster one of our youngsters until they are old enough to be prepared for work and we can find them a new home.

Sally said:

Fostering is a great way for people to have the enjoyment of being around youngsters whilst helping us out in the short term.

Just like teenagers, these young horses need experience of life, a day-to-day routine and a guiding hand.

Being a fosterer is a really rewarding experience. You can see these youngsters’ personalities change and develop as they grow.

Become a foster carer

The youngsters available for fostering are aged between one and three and are all happy, healthy and handleable.

All of our youngsters are microchipped, will have passports and tetanus vaccinations.

If you're interested in being an equine foster carer you must have experience handling horses, grazing and be able to take in a youngster for a minimum of six months.

If you're happy with our fostering criteria, and you're ready to make your application, find out how to apply.

Make a donation

Animal lovers who can’t take on a foster horse can also help by:

Donating tack
Caring for so many horses, ponies and donkeys puts a big strain on our equipment so we are always in need of donated goods.
Give a monetary donation
It costs us at least £5,000 to care for, rehabilitate and rehome each horse. Your support is vital.

Thank you.

Fox cub gets in a bit of a tangle

12.05.12

This poor fox cub needed a helping hand recently after becoming entangled in brambles in a cemetery in Sketty, South Wales.

The cub was spotted at the cemetery on Carnglas Road in Sketty, near Swansea, by a member of public.

The animal's neck had become entwined in the brambles and the young fox was unable to free itself.

The member of public called for our help and was able to monitor the situation until we arrived to rescue the cub.

After being safely cut free, the fox cub was checked over by a vet and boarded briefly at our Llys Nini Animal Centre.

The young fox was then released in the same spot by an RSPCA inspector, before disappearing quickly into its den.

Spring is a busy time for wild baby animals

Think twice and seek advice if you spot one

RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer Andrew Harris said:

It's still spring and Britain's fox cubs are still out and about having a play - occasionally getting into trouble like this little fellow.

We would urge anyone who spots a cub or fox in distress such as this one to call us, and to try their best to monitor the situation while keeping a safe distance just as the caller did, until we arrive.

More wildlife advice and information

For more expert wildlife advice visit our dedicated pages:

What to do with injured wild animals

What to do with orphaned wild animals

If you find an injured wild animal, or think a wild animal has been orphaned or abandoned, call our 24-hour cruelty line: 0300 1234 999.

Your support

Without your support we would not be here to rescue animals in need like this fox cub.

There are many ways you can support us, including making a donation to help fund our vital animal welfare work.

We can't do it without you. Thank you for your support.

Four dead foals found dumped in fly-tipping area

11.05.12

We're appealing for information after four dead foals were found piled on top of each other and dumped amongst rubbish in Pentre Meyrick, Cowbridge, South Wales.

The horses, one black, one grey and two grey-and-white, were discovered on Friday, 4 May. They had no signs of decomposition which suggested they had only recently been dumped.

The horses were not emaciated, and there were no visual signs of cause of death. Though blood was spotted on the lower part of one foal's leg and another had blood visible in its mouth.

The area, a well known fly-tipping area, had no other horses in the vicinity. And it has been established that the bodies, which have now been removed, were not awaiting collection for disposal.

Suspicion around deaths of 'seemingly healthy' foals

We need to determine how the foals died

RSPCA Inspector Christine McNeil said:

With no other evidence it is difficult to tell exactly what has happened to these young foals and we are appealing for anyone with information to give us a call.

Although the horses may well have died from natural causes or been put to sleep for a legitimate reason, the fact that they are all seemingly healthy young foals does arouse some suspicion as to their cause of death.

Added to this of course is that dumping horses illegally is not the right thing to do.

As a responsible horse owner you must be prepared to pay for your dead animals to be disposed of correctly and responsibly using the appropriate services.

Can you help with our investigation?

If you have any information about these foals, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, we'd really like to hear from you.

Please call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line: 0300 1234 999. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

Thank you.

Related information

Another dead young pony found dumped

We're also appealing for help with another of our investigations after another dead young pony was found dumped in Hagley, Worcestershire, on Saturday, 5 May.

Horse crisis

We have been overwhelmed with calls from members of the public concerned about the welfare of horses and ponies.

And as a result we are caring for more horses and ponies than ever before that we have rescued from cruelty and neglect.

Read more about the current horse crisis and the steps we're taking to improve horse welfare.

Tangled owl 'playing dead' rescued from tree

Don't leave litter

10.05.12

An owl was rescued by our inspectorate after it got tangled in fishing line and was left hanging precariously from a tree.

The male tawny owl was spotted on an island in the middle of a private fishing lake in Pebmarsh, Essex by a passer-by walking his dog around the edge.

It is believed he had probably been dangling from the line by the tip of his wing overnight and most of the day.

Owl 'plays dead'

We were called and three of our inspectors paddled a boat to get to the island to cut the bird free from the line and detangle him.

He was taken to a wildlife centre for a check-up and later released back to the wild.

Inspector Rosie Russon said the owl was very difficult to see as he was camouflaged and ‘playing dead’ – hanging his head and keeping very still.

She said:

This was a very lucky owl indeed. How the dog-walker spotted him out there, I really don’t know.

There’s no doubt he would have died if he had not been seen, probably a slow, lingering death from starvation. He could not have freed himself from that tangle.

The fact that he ‘played dead’ saved his life too. If he had flapped to free himself he would have broken bones.

Litter costs lives

There was a happy ending this time – but there often isn’t with cases of wildlife and fishing litter which can be very damaging to wildlife.

Although many fishermen are responsible when it comes to disposing of litter we would like to urge people to take greater care – it could save a life.

We're working with the Angling Trust, Environment Agency and other swan rescue organisations through the National Swan Convention to reduce the impact of lost and discarded fishing tackle on British wildlife.

How you can help

If you're a fisherman, here are just some ways in which you can help prevent fishing litter costing lives:

Take unwanted fishing line home and cut it into small pieces before putting it in the bin.
Wrap hooks in newspaper before throwing them in a bin.
Be aware of surrounding trees and avoid fishing where they may snag lines – discarded line caught up in foliage causes problems for wildlife.
Don’t leave baited tackle unattended – always remove the bait from the hook and place the tackle in a safe place.
Use a bait box so that there is no chance of leaving an empty bait tin behind by mistake.

For more information on litter and the affects it can have on wildlife please, visit:
Litter costs lives.

Your support

We rely on members of the public to report animal welfare concerns to us.

Without your support we would not be able to rescue animals in situations like this.

There are many ways you can support us, including making a donation to help fund our vital animal welfare work.

If you're concerned about the welfare of an animal, please call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line: 0300 1234 999.

We can't do it without you. Thank you for your support.

Tragic death of young pony triggers investigation

09.05.12

The disturbing discovery of the wet, muddy body of a thin young pony found in Stourbridge, Worcestershire over the weekend has led us to launch an urgent investigation.

The male pony had his legs tied together by rope and had a webbing material looped round his neck suggesting he may have been tethered.

The soaking wet condition of his body suggested he could have died from drowning however it is also possible he had collapsed due to his poor condition and fallen into water.

Pony dumped like rubbish

RSPCA Inspector Adrian Langley, who is investigating the incident, said:

If the owner of this pony was willing to dump him like rubbish after death, it makes you wonder how the pony was treated when he was alive.

I cannot say for sure what happened to him but due to his wet condition it would appear he was submerged in water for some time.

I think he may previously have been tethered and I also think his legs may have been tied together so that his body could be dragged out of the water which he may have died in.

I am relying on the public’s information to help me with my enquiries and urge anyone who thinks they may know where this pony came from and who owned him to please get in contact with me.

Can you help?

Found on Saturday, 5 May near a gateway in Western Road, Hagley in Worcestershire, the belief is that the pony’s body was dumped at this location after death sometime on Friday, 4 May.

The pony was mostly black in colour having a little white on his back.

We're appealing for anyone with information about this pony to contact our 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.

All calls will be treated in confidence.

Horse crisis

There are a growing number of horses being neglected and needing to be taken into care.

Our call centres have been overwhelmed with enquiries about horses believed to be in trouble. Find out more about the current horse crisis.

We're taking positive steps to improve the welfare of horses across the country, but we need your support.

Below are just some of the ways you can help:

Make an online donation, any amount no matter how small makes a big difference.
Rehome a horse from us, we have hundreds of horses and ponies in our care looking for new homes.
Help us end the overpopulation of companion animals - take our pledge.

Thank you

However you've chosen to help us today - thank you. We can't do it without your support.