A dog locked in a sweltering car during 34C temperatures was rescued by a quick-thinking passerby with an axe on Wednesday.
A man and a woman approached the vehicle at Newbury Retail Park in Berkshire after spotting the terrier ‘panting like mad’ by the window.
Its owner had left the dog for almost 45 minutes while shopping in Currys with her young daughter.
The unnamed man fetched an axe and set about trying to break the glass on the front passenger-side window.
After seven strikes with the sharp side of the fixture he span it round and successfully broke the window with the blunt side, letting in oxygen that could have saved the dog from serious illness or death.
The pair can be heard saying ‘that done it’ before they check on the pooch, which appears to be in a poor state.
The man can be heard asking: ‘At least it’ll get some air, that won’t die in there will it?’
The woman replies: ‘Well it don’t look bloody great.’
Officers arrived at the scene before a vet checked the dog over (Picture: Samantha Heaver)
Police officers who happened to be buying lunch at a nearby M&S were called over, after which vets arrived to check over the pet.
According to the RSPCA, even parking in shade with a window cracked open can kill a pet left inside.
Ambient temperatures of 22C can lead to temperatures of up to 47C within an hour – so the terrier may have been in even more unbearable conditions amid Wednesday’s highs of 34C.
The law protects people from damaging cars and other property if they believe the owner would consent to it knowing the circumstances – but otherwise they may be prosecuted for criminal damage or sued in a civil court.
In most cases it is advised to call the police if an animal is showing signs of heatstroke, and to make attempts to contact the owner – perhaps by asking shop workers to put out an announcement.
The RSPCA is investigating the video (Picture: PlymouthLive/BPM)
A sick video shows workers laughing as they pour boiling water onto screaming rats trapped in a bin.
The RSPCA is investigating after the distressing footage, believed to have originated on Snapchat, was shared on Facebook and seen by several people.
In the clip, a man can be heard saying ‘two rats in the bin’ before a kettle of steaming hot water is poured onto them.
High-pitched squeals can be heard as one of the men continues to pour water onto the rats while others stand by and laugh.
A male voice can be heard saying ‘ooh, they’ve gone quiet’ before the camera pans over to the bin. One worker says ‘they’re dead’ while another laughs, adding, ‘instantly, they’re literally dead instantly’.
It is not clear where the incident took place.
One person who shared the video claimed it was a group of local recycling collectors in Plymouth, but the City Council strongly refuted this, telling PlymouthLive their staff did not wear the orange short-sleeved safety jackets worn by the men.
A spokesperson for national waste management company Biffa added that managers who examined the footage were certain that none of their staff were involved and that it was not filmed at a Biffa unit.
The spokesperson added that Biffa did not have a unit in Plymouth and none of the units they did have in the country had a dartboard, shown in the first couple of seconds of the clip.
Workers were heard laughing as they poured a kettle of boiling water into a bin of rats (Picture:PlymouthLive/BPM)
The location of the incident is not clear (Picture: PlymouthLive/BPM)
A spokesperson for RSPCA said they had also been sent the footage today and were aware of its contents.
As a result, inspectors had been alerted to the matter and they were now carrying out an investigation.
The RSPCA can investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty, and last year secured 1,432 convictions.
Hector was abandoned outside the RSPCA Leeds, Wakefield and District Branch Animal Centre (Picture: RSPCA / SWNS)
An American bulldog covered in cigarette burns was abandoned outside the gates of an RSPCA centre in West Yorkshire.
Hector was tied up outside the RSPCA Leeds, Wakefield and District Branch Animal Centre in East Ardsley, Leeds, on August 1, with CCTV footage showing a black Mercedes with foreign number plates pulling up and leaving him behind.
After realising he wasn’t micro-chipped, staff deduced that he had belonged to German owners, as he didn’t appear to respond to any English words. They reviewed the CCTV and tried German commands with him, causing them realise he was ‘actually very well trained’ in the language.
Animal Care Manager Lucynda Hodgson said Hector has since already begun to pick up English as she described him as a ‘quick learner’.
Staff quickly realised he could only understand German (Picture: RSPCA / SWNS)
She went on: ‘He really shut down after what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him but after a few days of getting used to the staff he is doing a lot better and seems much happier.’
Hector was found wearing a muzzle, with burns on his fur which were believed to be from cigarettes. He was otherwise in good health, with what looked like freshly cut nails.
Ms Hodgson said: ‘We had to call for an inspector to come and help as the dog was being rather aggressive and although he was wearing a pretty hefty muzzle the staff were struggling to get near him.
‘He was tied up with a heavy chain lead so short that he could barely lay down and was so upset that he had twisted the chain lead tighter and tighter around his neck to the point that he couldn’t move in any direction.
He is now learning English while living at the centre (Picture: RSPCA / SWNS)
‘It took two of our animal care assistants and the officer to free him and get him up to our kennels.’
Anyone with any information about Hector and his owners should call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and ask to leave a message for inspector Emily Stodart, who is investigating what happened.
Ms Stodart said: ‘Poor Hector was very distressed when he was found. We would like to find out how Hector came to have these injuries and who abandoned him in this way.’
The dog had to be put down because she was in so much pain (Picture: PA)
A dog has had to be put down after someone is believed to have abandoned her in a ‘shocking’ condition.
The female Staffordshire bull terrier cross had an abdominal tumour so large that her belly dragged along the ground and had become grazed and bleeding.
She also had chronic eye issues and her claws were piercing through her paw pads because they were so overgrown.
The RSPCA is appealing for information to find the owners who apparently dumped her in Bolton, where she was found around 3pm on Sunday afternoon by a member of the public.
RSPCA inspector Kathryn Kellegher said: ‘This poor dog was in such a shocking state when she was picked up as a stray in West Meade in Bolton.
‘Sadly, she had a lump on her stomach which was so large it had started to drag on the floor and she was bleeding all over the pavement.
The poor dog had a large abdominal tumour (Picture: PA/RSPCA)
She also had overgrown claws (Picture: PA/RSPCA)
She was found as a stray on Sunday (Picture: RSPCA/PA)
‘It was distressing to see a dog in this poor state. I rushed her to the vets immediately but sadly the vets had to put her to sleep to end her suffering.
‘If anyone recognises this dog or has any information about where she may have come from, please contact the inspectorate appeal line in strictest confidence on 0300 123 8018.’
The seagull had been dyed blue and black and left to wander Carlisle (Picture: RSPCA / SWNS)
A ‘tropical’ bird with vibrant blue and black feathers fooled people into thinking they had discovered something truly extraordinary.
The bird was found wandering a car park in Carlisle by shocked onlookers who alerted the RSPCA.
But welfare officers soon confirmed the bird was not tropical and was just a regular seagull that had been dyed electric blue.
After trying to clean the blue dye from its feathers, mystery still surrounds what happened to the seagull.
RSPCA officer Graham Carter said he has never seen anything like it in 20 years on the job.
He said: ‘We have similar situations before where gulls have got themselves into trouble after falling into containers of beer, curry or oil.
‘We have also seen situations where some birds have been dyed pink before, but we just don’t know what happened in this case with this poor bird.
‘I wonder if some kind of blue powder has fallen on him and left him in this state. We would really like to hear from anyone who knows how this happened.
‘If it’s a case of the bird falling into a liquid or substance we would really like to know so that we can find the source and make sure this doesn’t happen again.
‘Or if it was done on purpose we would really like to know so we can look into this further. At this stage we simply don’t know if this was an accident or malicious.’
Stephen Wakelin, from Wolfwood Wildlife and Dog Rescue, said: ‘We are doing our best for this poor gull and are hoping that he makes a full recovery.
‘We still don’t know what the substance is but we are concerned that it is affecting him as he is a little dazed and is still unable to fly at the moment.
‘We think he is around two years old. It will take some time for him to go back to normal colour as he will have to moult and grow new feathers first.
‘We are doing everything we can for him and making sure he is safe and well looked after.’
Residents have rallied round with fishing nets, treats, cherry pickers and even scaffolding to try and get the cat down from the 40ft tree (Pictures: Leanne Skinner / SWNS)
An epic rescue mission has been ongoing in a small town in Wales for the past four days to get a cat down from a 40ft tree.
Residents in Tredegar, in the south east of the country, have rallied round with fishing nets, treats, cherry pickers and even a four-storey scaffold platform to try and get the animal down.
Leanne Skinner, 36, told Metro.co.uk: ‘It all started on Saturday when I went for a walk with my friends – I live just up the lane from where the cat is.
‘We were walking back and I heard a cat crying. We looked around for it, in the bushes and everywhere, but we just couldn’t see it. We could just hear this loud and pitiful cry.
‘Then suddenly it occurred to one of us that it was stuck up the tree. We knew it must be quite high because we still couldn’t see it.’
She said she immediately called the RSPCA, but they would not come out until it had been stuck there for 24 hours, as cats often work their way down.
The cat had not moved so the next day the charity attended alongside the South Wales Fire Service – but sadly its rescue attempts were fruitless.
Leanne, who is a part-time teacher, said: ‘They put ladders up and they could see the cat, but she just went further up the tree.
The cat – believed to be called Cookie – has been stuck up the 40ft tree since Saturday (Picture: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Residents rallied round with cherry pickers to see if they could reach the cat – but they couldn’t (Picture: Leanne Skinner)
‘It’s about 40ft high, so the RSPCA said it would come back the next day to see if it had moved a bit further down back into reach.’
In the meantime, she posted about the cat on Facebook and had an overwhelming response.
‘I’ve had so many people ringing me and messaging me and offering to help,’ said Leanne, who lives in Tredegar with husband Mark and their six-year-old son Alfie.
‘We’ve now had two cherry pickers out trying to help, and people have tried to get her down with a fishing net and coax her down with food and treats.
‘I just can’t believe the reaction this has had. Who would have thought a little Facebook status would lead to all this? The whole of Tredegar has rallied round and seems to be behind this cat.’
The huge amount of attention resulted in a local scaffolding firm building a four-storey structure around the tree yesterday to try and coax the cat back down to the ground.
Eventually a scaffolding firm came to try and help get to the cat (Picture: Leanne Skinner)
Workers from AP Scaffolding built a four-storey platform (Picture: Tom Wren / SWNS)
They worked into the evening – but still the cat wouldn’t come down (Picture: Leanne Skinner)
Leanne said the whole of the town of Tredegar has rallied round to help rescue the cat (Picture: Leanne Skinner)
Workers have left food and water at the top of the scaffolding, but have so far failed to convince the cat to leave its hiding spot.
Company AP Scaffolding posted on Facebook: ‘We are trying our very hardest to rescue this cat.
‘No joy in getting the cat down tonight. We left him some water and food and will be back tomorrow.’
Its director, Paul Ratledge, told BBC Wales today: ‘We had a phone call from the local fire service. They’d tried with cherry pickers, they’d had a tree surgeon but they couldn’t get it.
‘We’ve been there this morning, taking food to it. We’ve set up scaffolding boards on angles now so the cat will be able to get down by itself.
‘We got right by it but it went up higher again. It was crying a bit.’
Leanne has been searching for the owner of the cat, as animal experts said it may venture down if it hears a familiar voice.
She said she thinks she’s found the owner, but no one will know until it returns to the ground and they can see it up close. It is believed to be called Cookie.
The scaffolders are set to return tonight to try and complete the rescue mission, while Leanne – and the rest of Tredegar – remain on tenterhooks.
‘The most ridiculous thing about this is I’m not even a cat person – I have a dog,’ she laughed.
‘But I definitely want a cwtch when it comes down, after all this. I just hope I’m there when it happens and I don’t miss it!’
Cookie has been reunited with her owner at last after dozens of attempts by residents in Tredegar, Wales, to catch her using fishing nets, treats, cherry pickers and even a four-storey scaffold platform.
But finally two local tree surgeon companies joined forces in the valiant community effort – and this time, succeeded.
Leanne Skinner, who was the first to spot the animal in the tree, said: ‘They scaled up the tree opposite the cat and tried to swing to the cat’s tree. They cut branches off the tree above where the cat was so she couldn’t go any further up.
The 36-year-old mum, concerned about Cookie falling from the tree, ran back to her house to get a bed sheet and hold it underneath the tree just in case the cat fell.
‘The next thing we knew, the tree surgeon had made a grab, caught her and put her in his kit bag and was lowering her down,’ she added.
‘You could hear she was very scared and she was scrabbling trying to get out of the bag.
‘We decided to keep her in the bag for a while to calm her down and I cwtched her into me. I could feel her rest her head on my hand. We then took her into the back of one of the vans where we were able to transfer her to the cat box.
Cookie has finally been rescued and reunited with her owner (Picture: Leanne Skinner)
Tree surgeons joined forces to rescue the cat, who had been stuck up the 40ft tree for four days (Picture: Leanne Skinner)
A few people even cried after the happy reunion (Picture: Leanne Skinner)
‘We were all so happy and relieved that she was done. I think a few people actually cried. Cookie is now back with her owner, who was quite emotional getting her back.
‘When Covid-19 is over I am getting my cwtch!’
The four days of drama started on Saturday when resident Leanne heard a cat crying from somewhere and couldn’t see it – then realised it was stuck up a 40ft tree.
After fruitless attempts to get the cat down by the RSPCA and the South Wales Fire Service, the community started to get involved with fish nets, treats and cherry pickers after they saw Leanne’s pleas for help on Facebook.
‘I just can’t believe the reaction this has had. Who would have thought a little Facebook status would lead to all this?’ said Leanne, who lives with husband Mark and son Alfie, 6.
‘The whole of Tredegar has rallied round and seems to be behind this cat.’
A local scaffolding company got involved and built a four-storey structure to get to her on Monday, but even that was proving a challenge.
She later told Metro.co.uk: ‘The most ridiculous thing about this is I’m not even a cat person – I have a dog.
‘But I definitely want a cwtch when it comes down, after all this. I just hope I’m there when it happens and I don’t miss it!’
But Cookie is now back in her owner’s arms, who was relieved to find she hadn’t gone missing permanently.
Part-time teacher Leanne has also set up a JustGiving page to raise money to reimburse the companies which helped rescue Cookie, including Ron Skinner and Sons, Smartsigns Tredegar, AP Scaffolding, Priceys Removals, Lee Symes Tree Services and Tredegar Fire Station.
Emma Watson, 43, was found dead by her mother in a wooded area of her farm (Picture: Stoke Sentinel/BPM Media)
A dedicated farmer took her own life after an unfounded complaint about a sheep being covered in maggots was made to the RSPCA, an inquest heard.
Emma Watson, 43, was found dead by her mother in a wooded area on the farm where they both lived in Oakamoor, Staffordshire, on August 10 last year.
A court heard she became upset after an inspector visited the farm several weeks earlier.
‘An anonymous complaint had been made regarding a sheep covered in maggots,’ council inspector Paul Mills told the inquest.
‘It was referred from the RSPCA. When I arrived I saw Emma Watson. I explained the reason for my visit and she started to get upset.
‘She said she checked the sheep every day and was only aware of one sheep with flystrike and was adamant it had been treated.
‘After I reassured her I was only following up the complaint, she became calmer.’
The inquest heard how Mr Mills examined the animals and the individual sheep in question was in ‘good condition’.
Mr Mills said: ‘I was happy there were no welfare concerns for the animals.’
Miss Watson’s mother, Isabel, later phoned the council on July 3, 2019. It was agreed there were no major issues and a routine inspection would be carried out in October.
Mrs Watson said in a statement that on August 8, 2019, she noticed her daughter was worried.
She said: ‘Emma seemed down. An inspector had made an appointment to come and check the animals. Things seemed to be getting on top of her.
‘We went to bed at 10.30pm. Emma had been talking about having to go through all the animal records.’
The inquest heard Mrs Watson went to work at Alton Towers the following morning.
Mrs Watson said: ‘Emma was up and about. She seemed a bit upset. I asked her if I should phone work and stay at home with her but she said no.’
When Mrs Watson returned that evening, her daughter was not at home.
She looked around the farm but could not find her, so assumed Miss Watson had gone out.
The following morning, Mrs Watson began a more thorough search of the property and discovered her daughter’s body in a wooded area.
The cause of death was recorded as hanging. The inquest heard Miss Watson, who had a degree in ecology, had no medical history of anxiety or depression.
Her mother added: ‘Emma was always a very dedicated worker. She was very committed to the farm.’
Senior coroner Andrew Barkley described Miss Watson’s death as ‘a total tragedy’.
Reaching a conclusion of suicide, Mr Barkley said: ‘The only clear indication from the evidence as to why this happened appears to be the anxiety caused by this inspection, caused by a complaint to the RSPCA about the condition of one sheep.
‘Flystrike will strike very quickly and that is no indication of a lack of care. The inspector indicated he clearly had no concern for that sheep or any other.
‘It played disproportionately on her mind. Her mother said she was anxious about this and having to check animal records.’
Ruby suffered horrific injuries (Picture: Liverpool Echo)
A bulldog dog was found left in the street with a horrific wound as if someone had tried to cut her ear off with a machete.
The family pet, named Ruby, was clinging to life with blood pouring from a gash in the side of her head.
She had run off from her home the day she was found with with severe injuries.
A grieving man who was on his way to make arrangements for his father’s cremation came across the badly injured American Bulldog in Priory Road, near Stanley Park in Anfield.
He pulled over thinking she had been hit by a car.
The man, a dog owner himself, managed to get the injured animal into his car and rushed her to the PDSA in Kirkdale for emergency treatment.
Ruby had run off from her home on the day she was found (Picture: Liverpool Echo)
Staff were able to clean and stitch up the wound to stabilise the dog and then they reported the matter to the RSPCA.
Rachel Henderson, the inspector who was sent to investigate, has now placed the nine-year-old dog in the care of the RSPCA where she is receiving more medication and recuperating from her ordeal.
The inspector is keen to find out who launched the attack on the defenceless pet called Ruby – whose owner has been traced.
She believes the attack happened shortly before Ruby was found collapsed at 9am on October 15.
Rachel said: ‘We believe Ruby was attacked with a machete which is what caused this horrific wound and I am keen to find the person responsible for this vile incident.
‘We have no idea why she was subjected to this horror – but we have traced her owner who said she ran off from her nearby home at about 12.30am on the Thursday when she was found.
‘The dog was placed into the care of the RSPCA where she is receiving more medication and recuperating from her ordeal.
‘I believe, looking at the blood loss, the attack was carried out not long before she was found and am appealing for anyone who may have seen anything on this busy street or have any information to contact me.
‘Someone may have CCTV or dashcam footage which might help us identify the person responsible.
‘It is almost like someone wanted to cut her ear off. It must have been terrifying for her and caused a lot of pain and suffering.
‘Ruby is such a lovely friendly pet and despite the traumatic ordeal she has gone through she continues to wag her tail at staff and when I went to assist her she was just trying to lick my face.
‘I am just grateful to the man who found her and took her to the PDSA as he helped save her life. If she was left much longer she could have died.
‘It must have been hard for him at the time as he was on his way to make arrangements for his father’s cremation.’
The dog will continue to be cared for by the RSPCA until she is ready to go home.’
Anyone with information about the incident should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
The horrific discovery was made near Treeton Dyke in Rotherham (Picture: MEN Media)
A pile of skinned animals have been found dumped in woodland in South Yorkshire.
The bodies of two dogs and a rodent were so badly mutilated that it was impossible to tell what breed they were or even what species the rodent was.
An RSPCA inspector was called to Washfield Lane in Rotherham yesterday.
RSPCA inspector Jennie Ronksley said: ‘Members of the public contacted our emergency line after a horrific discovery in a small area of trees near Treeton Dike on Thursday night.
‘The bodies are completely skinned and have been dumped in a pile beside a black bin bag liner.
‘What’s not clear is whether the bodies have been dumped together in the bag and then dragged out and predated on by wildlife, or whether they were skinned before being dumped in this area.
The animals were found in woodland near Washfield Lane in Rotherham (Picture: Google Maps)
‘It’s a really shocking sight and I’m extremely concerned that these animals may have suffered before their untimely deaths so I’d like to hear from anyone with any information.’
Jennie believes the bodies to be that of two dogs and a rodent – perhaps a rat – but said it’s difficult to tell because of the state of the corpses.
‘I can barely tell what species the bodies are let alone any further details like their breed, so we’re in the dark and could really do with the support of the public.
‘From the minor traces of fur left on the dogs’ feet, I believe one was black in colour and the other was cream.
‘It seems strange for more than one animal to be found like this if there’s an innocent explanation so this seems very suspicious to me.’
The RSPCA is concerned that animals will face trauma this year as more people throw make-shift displays during the pandemic (Picture: RSPCA)
A dog was so traumatised by fireworks she collapsed in shock and injured herself, her owner revealed as the RSPCA warns this year’s Bonfire Night could be the worst in decades for animals.
Pet owner Julie Lumley-Pistor, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, said it took her ‘usually happy’ Staffie Ava two hours to calm down, after she started hyperventilating in fear at the sound of a display.
Julie had gone out with her husband for dinner at a friend’s one evening in August at about 7pm, leaving their two dogs at home.
Around an hour-and-a-half after they left, a neighbour let off ‘extremely loud fireworks’ to celebrate a birthday.
Julie said: ‘When our daughter returned home at around 9.15pm she found Ava collapsed on the bed, hyperventilating and surrounded by splatters of blood.
‘We returned home right away and spent almost two hours calming her down and getting her breathing back to normal.
Ava the Staffie was so distressed by a neighbour’s firework display she collapsed in shock and cut herself (Picture: RSPCA)
‘Ava had clearly been incredibly shocked and frightened by the fireworks and, in her panic, had cut herself. It was heartbreaking to have seen her in such a state.’
As more look to host their own home DIY firework displays this November due to Covid-19 restrictions cancelling public events, the RSPCA has warned this Bonfire Night could be more traumatic than usual for animals.
Every year, hundreds of calls are made to the animal welfare charity about fireworks affecting animals – amounting to 1,543 over the last four – and this year is expected to be no different.
A poll found 21% of UK adults reported owning, knowing or hearing about an animal that had tragically died as a result of fireworks, the RSPCA said, as it called on the Government to introduce tighter regulations on the sale of fireworks.
The charity is urging people to be considerate of neighbours with animals and warn them of plans in advance.
Ava is usually a ‘happy dog’ her owners said, but she is traumatised by fireworks (Picture: RSPCA)
Animal welfare expert Dr Mark Kennedy said he understands the public enjoy celebrating Bonfire Night with fireworks and they ‘don’t want to spoil the fun’, but urged residents to be considerate of animals.
He added: ‘Unfortunately, lockdown measures this year mean that very few organised, public displays are likely to go ahead and we suspect this means lots of families will be choosing to have their own displays at home.
‘Due to the Rule of Six and the restrictions on households mixing, we fear that there will be lots of little displays taking place over weeks and weeks, spreading out fireworks noise and causing prolonged distress for animals.
‘We’d urge people to be considerate and keep neighbours with animals, including those with nearby horses and other livestock, informed of plans well in advance so they can make preparations to reduce the stress to their animals.’
Suzy the Labrador cross went blind after her eyes ‘popped’ out during a firework display
The owner of the stables said of Harry’s injuries that she had ‘never seen anything like it’ and would take him months to recover.
Ahead of this year’s Bonfire Night, the RSPCA has renewed its #BangOutOfOrder campaign calling for tighter control over the sale of fireworks in a bid to help animals who suffer with firework phobias.
Harry the horse impaled himself on a fence last year while trying to escape fireworks (Picture: RSPCA/Mercury Press)
It is urging the Government to only allow displays that are held by relevant licensing authorities, with information provided to residents weeks in advance to prepare.
The charity wants the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks for public sale to be reduced to 90 decibels. The current level allowed is 120 – the equivalent to a jet taking off, said the RSPCA.
It is also calling for the private use of fireworks to be restricted to agreed traditional dates, such as November 5, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
Shocking footage shows a police car outside the RSPCA hospital being pelted with fireworks (Picture: Triangle News)
An animal hospital was pelted with fireworks as it came under attack by a gang of youths.
Terrified animal carers had to barricade themselves inside, while police came under fire as they responded to calls at RSPCA Harmsworth Animal Hospital in Finsbury Park, north London.
Dramatic footage taken by one staff member inside shows fireworks being launched at the building and the police car outside.
‘It’s like something out of a war zone,’ she is heard saying.
Frightened animals had to be moved elsewhere in the hospital as the attack continued.
A RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘Our dedicated workers at Harmsworth Animal Hospital are trying to continue to care and treat animals during the challenging times of lockdown and they should be able to do this without fear for themselves or the animals.
‘Fireworks have been going off in this area during the week upsetting the dogs and animals in the hospital, and staff also reported sparks visible in the branches of the trees close to the hospital.
‘We had one particularly horrible incident where fireworks were launched at a police car right outside the hospital.
A firework explodes as it hits a police car outside the animal hospital (Picture: RSPCA/Triangle News)
Harmsworth Animal Hospital in north London is home to many vulnerable animals (Picture: RSPCA/Triangle News)
‘This anti-social and dangerous behaviour is obviously unacceptable but, as well as this, lockdown measures this year also mean that very few organised, public displays are likely to go ahead.
‘We suspect this will mean people will have their own displays at home instead and we fear that this will result in lots of little displays taking place over a few weeks, spreading out fireworks noise and causing prolonged distress for animals.
‘Fireworks are extremely stressful and frightening for lots of animals. But they can also cause very serious injury and even death to some.’
The hospital is home to scores of sickly pet dogs and cats.
Attacks from fireworks can carry a fine of up to £5,000 or imprisonment of up to six months.
The robin became caught up in the glue (Picture: @RSPCA_official)
A robin had to be put to sleep after he became trapped in a glue trap and unable to remove his wings.
The traps are currently legal in the UK but there have been repeated calls for them to be banned.
They trap small animals by literally sticking them to a piece of plastic or cardboard and can cause horrifying injuries.
The ‘beautiful’ little bird was found by a member of the public in Rochdale, Lancashire.
His chest, legs and wings were entirely stuck and he had struggled so violently that he had broken both his legs.
A spokeswoman for the RSPCA, which released pictures of the animals’ injuries on November 11, said: ‘This beautiful little robin fell victim to the inhumane glue trap!
He was unable to escape the trap (Picture: @RSPCA_official)
‘His chest, legs and wings were entirely stuck, leaving him unable to escape. A member of the public found him and called us, but we discovered that both of his legs were broken and his wings and feathers were badly damaged.
‘As a result, heartbreakingly, the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep.
‘Sadly these aren’t illegal but we greatly disagree with the use of them.’
The RSPCA has urged people to report any businesses seen selling the traps to them by email.
They added: ‘Thank you for helping us to prevent more animals suffering like this poor robin.’
The dog’s lifeless body was discovered under a tyre in the garden (Picture: RSPCA)
A man who slashed his dog’s neck and left it to bleed to death has been jailed for 26 weeks.
Johnathan Holder’s mother discovered Tyrone the Staffie’s lifeless body under a tyre at the bottom of the garden.
She reported it to police who alerted the RSPCA. Tyrone’s body was taken to a vet who found five sharp trauma wounds in his neck, shoulder and left leg, which were believed to have been caused by a knife.
The vet said it could have taken hours for Tyrone to die as the wounds missed his main arteries.
Officers discovered blood splatters on the garden patio and inside the house, while bloodied clothes belonging to Holder were found in the washing machine.
Holder’s bloodied clothes were found in the washing machine (Picture: RSPCA)
Holder, 33, was arrested but during an interview, he said he had no memory of the weekend as he had been drinking heavily.
He denied killing Tyrone and claimed that another animal was responsible for his death.
RSPCA Inspector Pamela Bird said: ‘The duration of this suffering will be a minimum of a couple of minutes to give time for the dog to walk or stagger about the lounge, kitchen, patio and garden areas haemorrhaging as he was moved around.
‘However, it is more likely he suffered for a longer period of several minutes up to a maximum of four hours as none of the major blood vessels of the neck or his trachea were involved in his injuries.’
Blood splatters were discovered on the garden patio (Picture: RSPCA)
The court heard how Holder, of Derwent Road, Chester, had a fresh dog bite mark on his hand which could have provided a motive for the attack. But he denied this and said it was caused by a broken glass.
He then claimed someone else had killed the dog in a ‘revenge attack’ and denied the animal welfare charge, but he was found guilty by magistrates.
Inspector Bird added: ‘This was an upsetting case to deal with. It was clear from the vet report that Tyrone’s death was prolonged and that he suffered a great deal.’
During sentencing, the court was told this was a case of ‘absolute cruelty’ and not only did Holder inflict the stab wounds, he denied his involvement and tried to shift responsibility onto an unknown attacker.
The puppy was rescued by the RSPCA (Picture: RSPCA)
Someone dumped a six-week-old puppy with a deformed paw in a box in a park in Greater Manchester.
The pup, believed to be a Patterdale Terrier-type, was found by a woman who heard a rustling noise coming from the box in Ashton-under-Lyne on November 7.
She went to see what it was and found the dog sitting there with no food and water.
Thankfully, she was able to take him home from Cedar Park and then reported what had happened to the RSPCA.
Inspector Ryan King is now investigating and is keen to trace the person responsible for abandoning the pet, who has now been named Keith.
He believes the puppy may have belonged to a breeder who dumped him because of his deformed paw which means he struggles to bear weight on the leg.
Keith was rescued by the RSPCA (Picture: RSPCA)
Ryan said: ‘The poor helpless puppy must have been terrified after he was left alone in unfamiliar territory and without his mum.
‘He had no food and water and if he was not found by this member of the public he could easily have died.
‘To dump a helpless puppy in this way is callous and cruel and I believe someone has bred a litter of pups and decided to abandon this one because they noticed he had a deformed paw and decided they would not be able to make any money from him.
‘I am hoping someone will know who this puppy belonged to and can provide me with that information.
Keith is now in foster care and doing well (Picture: RSPCA)
‘Someone may have been to view a litter of puppies and may have seen this dog as he is quite distinctive.
‘I would urge anyone with information to call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.’
Keith is now in foster care with Ryan’s RSPCA colleague Inspector Jess Arajo and is doing well.
Ryan added: ‘He is such a sweet dog. He is adorable and he has settled well with Jess.
‘We are not sure how he will be with his paw until he is older. He may be able to adapt to life with it or it may have to be amputated at some stage we don’t know.
‘I am just so glad he is getting the love care he deserves after an awful start in his life.’
This is the heartwarming moment an injured seal pup was returned to the water after being rescued and nursed back to health.
The mammal was spotted in distress on steps at Liverpool’s Albert Dock on Wednesday, November 4.
When he was still there later that same evening, a wildlife volunteer went to help the pup, which was found to have minor wounds to his flippers and under his chin thought to have been sustained after hitting rocks.
The seal was taken to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, Cheshire, where vets named him Swede and treated his injuries before placing him in an outdoor pool to socialise with other seals to get him ready for his return to the wild.
RSPCA animal rescuers Joanne McDonald and Caren Goodman James took the seal pup back to the area he was found and released him into the River Mersey last Thursday, November 19.
Manager Lee Stewart said: ‘Swede came to us with flipper injuries and injury to his chin which suggests he may have hit some rocks.
‘He was treated by our vets and then we cared for him for a fortnight until he was ready to be returned to the wild.
The seal pup had injuries thought to have been sustained after hitting rocks (Picture: RSPCA)
RSPCA animal rescuers Joanne McDonald and Caren Goodman James took the seal pup back to the area he was found (Picture: RSPCA)
‘We have 10 seals at the centre currently and as you can imagine they take a lot of feeding and some stay with us for three to four months.
‘They will each get through about 3kg of mackerel or herring every day which will cost the centre hundreds of pounds every week, but it is important to build their weight up before they are returned to the wild.
‘It is hard work rehabilitating seals but it is so rewarding when they are released back into the wild after they have been rehabilitated.’
Joanne added: ‘The crate was quite heavy as Swede is a big seal but between us we managed to get him to the water’s edge and with a bit of encouragement he was back in his home environment.
‘Quite a crowd had gathered to watch and it was a really nice sight to see him happily swim away.’
A crowd gathered to watch Swede swim away (Picture: RSPCA)
The RSPCA advises that members of the public do not to approach any seals they see as the wild mammals can have a nasty bite.
The charity says it is currently caring for over 70 seals in its four wildlife centres and, as a result, has very limited capacity for other seals.
Therefore, it is advised that they are monitored from a safe distance for a period of 24 hours to see if its mother returns before any calls are made to the organisation.
In most cases the seal is usually perfectly fine and rescuers would prefer to leave healthy ones in the wild whenever possible.
Buddy was shot between the eyes but the pellet did not penetrate his skull (Picture: RSPCA)
A cat that was shot in the head in a ‘callous’ attack has survived after emergency treatment – and rescuers now hope he can be found a new home.
The RSPCA has launched an investigation into the Sheffield air rifle shooting on Thursday, November 26, which saw the male stray hit between the eyes in Gregg House Road, Shiregreen.
The injured cat, later named Buddy, was rushed to a nearby vet for emergency treatment after a resident who had been feeding him noticed the wound and called for help. A gun pellet fell from his head when it was inspected.
Animal rescuer Liz Braidley was sent to collect the injured animal, who had been living in the area, before he was rushed to the vet.
The cat responded well and is now in the care of the RSPCA’s Sheffield and District Branch, who say he is very friendly.
Video footage shows Buddy strutting around his new temporary home and being given sweets from a concerned local, who heard about his plight.
Vets confirmed that the pellet wound is healing, as well as an untreated abscess behind his ear.
Buddy was not microchipped, so once he has recovered it is hoped that he can be found a new home.
Ms Braidley is also keen to locate the person responsible for the attack.
She said: ‘It is very concerning that someone has deliberately targeted an innocent animal like this by shooting it to the front of the head. It is such a callous attack on a defenceless animal.
‘Thankfully, Buddy is doing well but he has been through a horrible ordeal and this could have been far worse.
‘To aim between the eyes suggests someone was trying to kill him but the vet said he was lucky as the pellet hit skull and fortunately was unable to penetrate it.’
She continued: ‘Unfortunately, attacks like this are not as rare as we would like. Cats and wildlife are more susceptible to these incidents simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them.
The stray male was taken for emergency treatment (Picture: RSPCA)
Buddy’s pellet wound is now healing, as is an abscess behind his ear (Picture: RSPCA)
The pellet which fell from the cat’s head (Picture: RSPCA)
‘We’d also like to remind people that anyone caught deliberately harming an animal can be up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine if found guilty under the Animal Welfare Act.’
Hayley Crookes, animal care leader at the charity’s Sheffield branch, said: ‘Buddy is coming on leaps and bounds – he is such a lovely friendly cat we can’t understand why anyone would want to hurt him.
‘The abscess behind his ear is already clearing thanks to medication and the pellet wound is closing up nicely too.
‘We have received a lot of support from kind people on social media who have been touched by Buddy’s plight – one lady even dropped off some treats for him which he loved. We are so grateful.’
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
The tabby cat was found bleeding with the trap still attached last Sunday (Pictures: RSPCA)
A cat had to have one of her front legs amputated after suffering horrific injuries caused by an illegal gin trap.
The white tabby cat was spotted bleeding heavily with the device still hanging off the limb near a barn in Land Gate, Rochdale, on Sunday evening. She is believed to have spent at least a day caught in the trap, having first been seen on Saturday before limping away.
RSPCA animal rescuer Steve Wickham attended the scene and managed to comfort the cat, now named Xena after the warrior princess, until he could get her safely to the Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for emergency treatment.
He said the intervention prevented Xena suffering a ‘terrible lingering death’, but added that ‘she was in such a bad way’ due to the wounds caused by the device’s serrated jaws that a vet decided her leg had to be removed.
The charity said she is doing well in their care and will be found a new home once she is fully healed.
Gin traps are mechanical devices designed to catch an animal by its leg, using spring-operated jaws with teeth or jagged edges.
The device which trapped Xena is legal to own or sale, but not to set and use.
She is believed to have spent at least a day caught in the trap (Picture: RSPCA)
The RSPCA urged anyone who knows who set the gin trap to contact their appeals line.
They also stressed that the devices can cause ‘immense suffering’ to wildlife and pets.
Steve said: ‘Sadly, by setting this barbaric and illegal gin trap, someone’s actions have caused this poor cat to lose her front leg.
‘But had Xena not been spotted she could have suffered a terrible lingering death, which is just awful.
‘She was in such a bad way with her leg hanging on by the skin so the vets were left with no choice but to amputate.
Despite emergency treatment the injuries were so bad the front leg had to be amputated (Picture: RSPCA)
‘However, she is doing well and will be rehabilitated at one of our branches and will then be found a new home.
‘We still regularly deal with incidents involving gin traps and they’re completely indiscriminate in what they catch with victims including wildlife and pets.
‘They are horrific and simply should not be used.’
Xena’s plight was also helped by the RAC after Steve’s van broke down on the way to the animal hospital.
Xena will hopefully be rehomed once she is all healed up (Picture: RSPCA)
Steve added: ‘I would also like to thank the RAC for their help because while I was transporting Xena to hospital my van broke down but they assisted me within half an hour.
‘The RAC worker, James Patterson, took me and the cat to the hospital as an emergency then we went back to get my van back up and running.
‘They really did go above and beyond and I was grateful for their help as all my other colleagues were tied up on other urgent jobs and were further away.’
The use of gin traps has been outlawed in the UK since 1958, but some are still being illegally used to catch animals such as rabbits and foxes. The sale or possession of such traps is not illegal, but the RSPCA wants to make people aware that they can face prosecution by setting them.
Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal faces a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison.
The RSPCA is opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all snares and any traps which cause suffering.
They said trapped animals will struggle when caught and may succeed in pulling the trap from its anchor only to die later from their injuries.
Monkeys have complex needs that many owners are completely neglecting (Picture: PA)
Keeping a monkey as a pet could be banned in England under new Government proposals aiming to crack down on animal cruelty.
As many as 5,000 primates including monkeys, apes and lemurs are thought to be living outside of licensed zoos, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The wild mammals are highly intelligent and have very specific requirements including open space, a varied diet and social contact. But these complex needs cannot be met in a home environment, leaving them seriously depressed.
RSPCA inspectors say they have encountered ‘shocking’ situations where animals are living in ‘squalor’ and being fed fast food, sugary drinks and Class A drugs.
Many end up needing treatment for mobility issues and psychological damage due to being isolated alone.
Campaigners believe current laws do not protect monkeys from abuse or mistreatment.
Animal Welfare Minister Lord Goldsmith said: ‘Primates are hugely intelligent and socially complex animals.
Capuchin monkeys are among the most commonly held primates in Britain (Picture: Getty Images/Mint Images RF)
‘When they are confined in tiny cages, often alone and with little stimulation, their lives are a misery.
‘It’s important that we take action to prevent the suffering caused to them when they are kept as pets and so I am delighted that we are moving a big step closer towards banning the practice.’
Marmosets are the most commonly held primates in the UK, with capuchins, squirrel monkeys, lemurs and tamarins also popular pets.
Those who do keep the wild animals without a zoo licence would need to get a new specialist private primate keeper licence to ensure they are meeting the required high welfare standards.
People are being asked for their views on whether keeping pet monkeys, such as this young Barbary Macaque, should be banned (Picture: Getty Images)
New rules on breeding and transferring primates would also be introduced under the proposals.
Members of the public are being asked to give their views on the potential changes as part of an eight-week consultation launched today.
Dorset-based animal sanctuary Monkey World said it has taken in more than 100 primates from the UK pet trade.
Around 78 have been rescued in the past 10 years and there are more than 100 on its waiting list.
Animal rights activists believe the law does not protect primates from abuse or neglect (Credits: Getty Images/Mint Images RF)
Monkey World director Dr Alison Cronin warned: ‘Current laws are not protecting the monkeys from abuse or neglect, as they arrive at the park malnourished, with rickets, mobility problems and psychologically damaged as a result of living in solitary confinement, inside people’s houses.
‘We are asking people to take part in this consultation to signal that this trade is unacceptable and the current legislation is not working. The laws must change.’
Dr Ros Clubb, senior scientific manager at the RSPCA animal charity, said the ban ‘can’t come soon enough’.
She added: ‘Just like humans, primates can become depressed without adequate stimulation.
‘They need a spacious and enriched environment that challenges their intelligent brains and allows for them to behave like primates should.’
For more information and to view the consultation click here.
CCTV images have been released of the man who handed in the dying dog (Picture: RSPCA)
The RSPCA have released CCTV images after a dying dog was abandoned in a park and couldn’t be saved.
The young bulldog was severely malnourished and had a number of other serious health problems including hypothermia, infections of the eye and ear, a bad skin condition and inflammation on her paw.
She also had a caesarean section scar – suggesting she may have been used for puppy breeding before being dumped ‘like a piece of rubbish to die’.
The dog was discovered in Victoria Park in Birkenhead, the Wirral, Merseyside, and taken to a vets on Sunday, December 6.
Upon inspection, vets believe the dog was made to sleep outside and say her coat was stained with urine and faeces, the Liverpool Echo reports.
They struggled to take her temperature as she was so cold. They believe she was forced to sleep outside and say the underside of her coat was stained with urine and faeces.
But after 24 hours of treatment, vets decided they had no choice but to put the animal to sleep due to the severity of her condition.
There is nothing to suggest the man was responsible for the dog’s suffering (Picture: RSPCA)
The young pitbull-type dog had to be put down because she was in such a bad condition (Picture: RSPCA)
The dog had been transferred to another veterinary practice for further care – but sadly her condition deteriorated.
A man who took the dog to the vet reported finding her in the park but left no details, so now the RSPCA and the practice is keen to speak to him.
RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes said: ‘While we’ve seen an outpouring of concern from the local community about the condition this poor dog was found in, we’re still trying to find out what happened.
“We are really keen to speak to the individual who reported finding this dog in Victoria Park in Birkenhead, and took her to the vets. We’re now in a position to release CCTV images of this man, as we are hopeful he will have information which can really help our enquiries. There is no suggestion that we believe this man is responsible.
The dog was taken to a vet in Birkenhead, the Wirral, Merseyside, on Sunday December 6 (Picture: RSPCA)
Authorities are still trying to find out what happened
‘This poor bulldog-type dog was in such a bad way – and we really need to find out how she was allowed to get in such a poor condition, and the circumstances behind her neglect and abandonment.
In a previous appeal, he said: ‘This poor dog has suffered a catalogue of neglect there is never any excuse for a dog to be left suffering in this way – especially as she was so young.
‘She was a young dog and had a C-section scar so I suspect she had been used for breeding and then left to suffer with failing health without any veterinary treatment.
‘Then whoever owned her not only failed her when she was alive but decided to just callously dump her like a piece of rubbish to die.
‘I am keen to find the person responsible for this and appealing for anyone with information as to who owned the dog to get in touch.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
