The group had to untangle wire knotted around its antlers in the dark (Picture: North News & Pictures)
It took three RSPCA officers, a vet and a farmer to free a red stag which had gotten itself tangled in wire fencing and fallen into a river.
A farmer spotted the deer with fencing knotted around its antlers and called the RSPCA.
RSPCA officer Martyn Fletcher said the deer, which was ‘huge’ and ‘the same size as a small cow’, was ‘extremely distressed and very lively, thrashing around trying to free himself’.
‘He had barbed wire, netting, other fencing and three large wooden posts tangled around his antlers and dragging from his head,’ he said.
The three RSPCA officers in attendance called a vet, who tranquilised the 150kg stag and the five of them hauled him onto the river bank.
They untangled the fencing, used the farmer’s tractor to move the deer away from the water and set him free once the sedation wore off.
The group started getting the stag out of the River Lyne in Longtown, Cumbria, on Tuesday afternoon so by the time he was sedated and out of the water it was dark.
Martyn added: ‘That added to the tricky rescue.
‘We started to remove the netting, wood and wire and once he was free we used the farmer’s tractor to move the deer away from the river bank.
The stag was ‘the size of a small cow’ (Picture: North News & Pictures)
The stag had to be sedated for the group to be able to free him (Picture: North News & Pictures)
‘We didn’t want him to panic and run back into the water once he started to rouse from the sedation.
‘We monitored him from nearby and once he’d regained consciousness he got back onto his feet and, despite being a little wobbly to start with, then started to wander off into the darkness.
‘Once we’d removed all of the detritus we could see he had 12 points on his antlers, indicating his age at around six or seven.
‘Local people say red deer are rare in the area and that this stag had been spotted over recent weeks with some rope or fencing tangled in his antlers.
The RSPCA has warned people to pack away netting when not being used (Picture: North News & Pictures)
‘It was a tough rescue in the darkness and in cold, wet, muddy conditions. But to see such a beautiful, powerful animal in the prime of his life finally free and released back into the wild was extremely rewarding.’
The RSPCA is often called out to rescue animals which have got trapped or tangled in netting and fencing.
The charity has urged people to pack netting away when not in use, and to ensure fencing is intact and can’t get caught around a wild animal’s legs or antlers.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
The rabbit was found with a cage and hay (Picture: RSPCA)
A baby rabbit found abandoned in a field is believed to have been an unwanted gift this Christmas.
The poor bunny was found yesterday by a dog walker who contacted the RSPCA.
It came as Storm Bella swept in, and weather warnings were issued for Wolverhampton saying that there could be snow and ice from today.
The rabbit, named Lucky by rescuers, was left with a brand new cage and bag of hay and food, sparking concerns it had been given as a present.
Inspector Laura Baker collected the rabbit, which is now being looked after by the RSPCA’s Walsall branch. The rabbit is around 12-14 weeks old.
Laura said: ‘I can only guess this poor rabbit was perhaps an unwanted Christmas present as the cage was brand new, there was hay and food and the rabbit is young and in good health. It is very concerning if this is the case – animals are a long-term commitment, which is why we ask people to think very carefully before taking one on.
The bunny was named Lucky (Picture: RSPCA)
‘Generally we don’t see a spike in abandonments around Christmas – our peak time for abandonments is the summer months. However, that’s not to say we don’t see abandoned animals at Christmas and there is always the possibility that they were bought as presents but were unwanted. In my experience, this is one of the quickest Christmas abandonments I have had to deal with.
‘Thankfully this rabbit was found by the dog-walker, who spent a while trying to catch the rabbit – which had escaped from her cage – before calling us. We are very grateful for their help.’
Laura said: ‘The branch told me all the rabbits they currently have up for adoption is less than a year old and they have seen a massive spike in people wanting to rehome their bunnies when they returned back to work or their furlough ended.
‘Rabbits are hard work and need lots of cleaning and attention and early handling. I love rabbits and have four but they take up a lot of time and I think unfortunately people in lockdown seem to have gone out and bought small furries as pets for children not realising the time commitment involved.’
Anyone who has any information about Lucky, who was found in Barnhurst field, Pendeford, Wolverhampton at around 10.30am on Sunday 27 December, should call the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 123 8018.
The RSPCA has revealed its 20 wackiest animal rescues of the year (Pictures: RSPCA/SWNS)
The RSPCA has revealed its 20 wackiest animal rescues of the year – including saving a seal trapped in a treadmill and a fox stuck in a watering can.
Hilarious pictures show hapless pets and wild animals caught up in a whole variety of bizarre places before being freed by baffled rescuers.
The charity has compiled the 20 strangest rescues of 2020, with the oddest being a grey seal which had to be saved from a treadmill.
Other weird call-outs include a fox with its head stuck in a watering can, a frog wedged in a drain cover and a lamb trapped 50ft down a pipe.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘More than one million calls are made to the RSPCA each year to report animals in need of help.
‘Some certainly get themselves into some surprising situations.’
A cockapoo puppy managed to get himself wedged under a reclining chair (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
A ewe got stuck in a metal feeder (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
In December, workers at a gym equipment warehouse in Llanelli, Wales, were stunned to find a grey seal pup in one of the treadmill machines.
RSPCA inspector Leigh Summers said: ‘It’s believed he travelled up the River Loughor before making his way into the warehouse.
‘He was sick and underweight.’
In April, a fox cub got its head wedged inside a watering can in Sevenoaks, Kent.
RSPCA officer Lynn White managed to free the stricken animal using Vaseline. She said: ‘This poor fox had probably got stuck while he was trying to get some water out of the can.
‘He was very exhausted from trying to remove it himself.
‘I wasn’t sure how best to get him out – but then I remembered I had some Vaseline in my van and so I used that on his neck and then I was able to slide him out of the can.’
Workers at a gym equipment warehouse in Llanelli, Wales, found a grey seal pup in one of the treadmills (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
The pup is believed to have travelled up the River Loughor before making his way into the warehouse (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
In May, officers spent four hours rescuing a lost lamb after it fell 50ft down a broken manhole and into an underground pipe in a field in Durham.
RSCPA inspector Emily Welch said: ‘The farmer noticed the lamb’s mum stood at the top of the hole looking lost and he couldn’t spot her baby.
‘When he went to investigate he heard the little lamb bleating from down the drain.’
A tawny owl needed help after getting stuck inside a fireplace (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
A snake wrapped itself around some pipes inside a gas meter reader (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Another tawny owl got itself stuck between glass doors and a Juliet balcony (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Rescuers used a digger to burrow down 15m (50ft) into the pipe before reuniting the mother with her lamb.
In October, a two-month-old cockapoo puppy got trapped inside his owner’s reclining chair in Portsmouth.
RSCPA inspector Hannah Nixon said: ‘The pup, called Pudding by his rescuers, had crawled under the sofa and got his fur caught in the mechanism when his owner unknowingly reclined the chair with him underneath.’
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service came to help to remove the electrics and cut Pudding free unharmed.
Other bizarre rescues included saving a horse which was stranded on top of a gate in Loughborough, Leics.
In April, a tawny owl was rescued from a family’s fireplace in Ewelme, Oxon.
RSPCA inspector Lauren Bailey said: ‘The family had been hearing noises from the chimney and fireplace for a few days but had no idea there was a bird trapped inside until he fell all the way to the bottom.
‘The first they realised was when they saw him peering out through the fireguard – he had his feet up against the grill like he was waving and asking for help.’
A little frog needed help after getting stuck in a drain cover in the Wirral, Merseyside (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
A podgy hedgehog had to be chiselled out of a tiny gap after getting stuck stuck between a tree and a concrete pillar in Blackpool (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Meanwhile, a tram driver saved a newborn calf from drowning after spotting it trapped up to its neck in a bog in Rochdale in May.
Rescuers were also called to a city street in Bradford in June when baffled residents saw a goat standing at a bus stop.
RSPCA Inspector Emily Stodart said: ‘It’s certainly not something you see every day.
‘When we got there, we found he had been making his way through a few gardens before stopping at the bus stop.’
Rescuers from the RSPCA, fire service and local farmers launched a four-hour mission to save a lamb who had fallen through a broken manhole and into the pipe below (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Another rescuer had to get clever to rescue a rat which had got stuck inside a car wheel (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
In September, a squirrel got stuck in the back of a man’s fridge in Wimbledon.
RSCPA Inspector Emily Buckett said: ‘We moved the fridge outside and unscrewed the back.
‘The squirrel was bright and uninjured, as soon as we removed the back he popped out and dashed off, very pleased to be free.’
In the same month, rescuers were called to the Wirral in Merseyside to save a frog which got its legs trapped in a drain cover.
A stallion needed a helping hand after getting stuck on a gate (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
RSCPA inspector Leanne Cragg said: ‘When I arrived, his whole body was wedged tight with his back legs stuck in the drain.
‘I’ve heard of toad in the hole – but this is my first frog in a drain.’
Firefighters were called and used hydraulic cutting equipment to free the frog.
Also in September, rescuers were called after a fox got its head stuck in a wheelchair lift in Oxford.
In November, a corn snake was found inside the pipes of a gas meter in Gosport, Hants.
Meanwhile in Goddington, Kent, rescuers were called to help a hapless badger which got its bottom wedged in a garden fence.
RSCPA Inspector Mark Miles said: ‘This poor badger was completely jammed in that fence and going nowhere.
‘It looks as if he was trying to get from one garden to the next via the hole in the fence, but had misjudged the width of his backside.’
A greedy hedgehog needed help after crawling inside a discarded bird feeder in search of food (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Other hapless animal mishaps which made the list included a sheep which was trapped in a metal feeder in Richmond, Surrey, and a greedy hedgehog which got wedged in a bird feeder in Horsham, West Sussex.
RSPCA rescuers used washing liquid to free a muntjac deer from a metal gate in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, while a hedgehog was chiselled out of a tiny gap in a concrete pillar in Blackpool.
In December, a couple had a shock when they found a four-foot snake hiding inside their tumble dryer in Southport, Merseyside.
RSPCA inspector David Hatton aid: ‘I’m not sure how he managed to get into the utility rooms but was probably attracted to the warmth of the dryer.’
The birds were found dead in the street (Picture: LIPU)
Hundreds of birds have been found dead in the streets of Rome after a fireworks display.
The animals, mostly starlings which roosted nearby, can be seen in video footage lying in the road.
It is not clear exactly how they died, but the International Organisation for the Protection of Animals (OIPA) said it was likely that loud firecrackers and fireworks set off for the New Year had been the cause.
Loredana Diglio, a spokeswoman for the organisation, said: ‘It can be that they died from fear.
‘They can fly up together and knock against each other, or hit windows or electric power lines.
‘Let’s not forget they can also die of heart attacks.’
She noted that fireworks displays each year cause distress and injury to both wild and domestic animals.
The birds were seen in the streets around the Italian capital’s main train station.
This year the city of Rome had banned personal fireworks displays, although this was widely ignored. A 10 p.m. curfew due to virus restrictions has also been imposed.
The Italian branch of OIPA has called for a ban on selling firecrackers and fireworks for personal use, citing the threat to animals.
The RSPB say that there is little evidence to suggest that fireworks harm wild birds.
They said: ‘Available information suggests that the effect of firework displays on birds is little different from that of a thunderstorm.’
But they added: ‘Setting off fireworks close to nesting and roosting birds can cause disturbance.
‘To minimise any adverse impact of fireworks on birds, we urge organisers of firework displays to avoid launching the rockets near to sensitive wildlife areas, such as nature reserves, and nesting and roosting sites for wild birds.’
Sheridan Smith is presenting new BBC dog grooming competition Pooch Perfect (Picture: BBC)
The RSPCA has criticised new BBC show Pooch Perfect for placing focus on the ‘aesthetics of grooming’, warning that it’s important not to treat dogs as ‘fashion accessories’.
Pooch Perfect, which is being presented by actress Sheridan Smith, is a new reality TV competition that sees 16 professional dog groomers go up against each other in a bid to impress judges Colin Taylor, Verity Hardcastle and Bolu Eso.
Ahead of its launch, Dr Samantha Gaines, head of the companion animals department at the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has spoken out about the programme, explaining that often the ‘aesthetics’ of dog grooming is highlighted more than the way grooming can ‘impact a dog’s health’.
In a statement sent to Metro.co.uk, Dr Samantha said that the charity is ‘very pleased that there was a veterinarian and an animal welfare consultant involved early on in the production and present throughout the filming’.
‘This specific expertise is critical in helping safeguard the welfare of animals used in these types of programmes,’ she said.
Dr Samantha explained that grooming is ‘an essential part of responsible dog ownership’, and so the RSPCA is looking forward to information provided within the show that can educate viewers on how grooming ‘can impact on a dog’s health and happiness such as their movement, how easily they can see and breathe, and how they stay cool’.
Sheridan’s canine co-host Stanley (Picture: BBC)
However, she added that the charity is ‘disappointed that elements’ Pooch Perfect pay particular close attention to the way dogs look.
‘Sadly, the importance of dogs’ appearances has already come at the expense of dog welfare and many breeds now suffer from serious health conditions as a result of the way they’ve been bred to look a certain way,’ she said.
‘It’s important that programmes like this do not further perpetuate the idea that dogs are ours to objectify and treat as toys or fashion accessories.’
In a statement sent to Metro.co.uk, a BBC spokesperson said that ‘throughout the filming of Pooch Perfect, the care and wellbeing of the dogs was of the upmost importance’.
‘On set we had an RSPCA approved Animal Welfare Consultant, a Grooming Consultant, and a Vet, to ensure that we put every precaution in place to keep the dogs safe and well,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Every owner was asked if they were happy for their dogs to have some temporary colour put on them. When colour was used it was kept to a minimum, it washed out almost immediately and was only used in the minority of challenges to demonstrate specific areas of skill and creativity.
‘All the products used were animal safe and temporary and they were used.’
Pooch Perfect begins tonight at 8pm on BBC One.
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This owl was found stuck in a greasy kitchen extractor fan for two days (Picture: RSPCA)
An owl had to be rescued after becoming trapped in a filthy extractor fan at an empty hotel for two days.
The owner of the disused Alhambra Court Hotel called the RSPCA after hearing noises coming from the kitchen fan.
Animal rescue officer Leanne Honess-Heather was sent to try to help free the owl. She said: ‘The hotel owner heard noises coming from the extractor fan but wasn’t sure what it was. When she went to investigate she spotted a tawny owl sitting behind the fan. The bird seemed bright and alert despite being trapped.
‘When I arrived at the disused hotel the owl, who had tried to push her way out, was then wedged tight between the fan blades in the extractor.
‘We suspect the bird had fallen down the large extractor and then, when trying to get out, had got wedged in the fan. The fan was sticky and covered in grease which made it harder for the bird to free herself.
‘Initially she was stuck at the top of the fan, upside down. But then, struggling, she worked her way to the bottom. Thankfully, the cover was easily removed and we were able to free her. She had no major injuries but she was dehydrated and covered in thick grease so needed a good bath.’
The owl got itself stuck in this greasy kitchen extractor fan (Picture: RSPCA)
She’s now been cleaned up and will eventually be released back into the wild (Picture: RSPCA)
The bird had to be washed with fairy liquid to remove the grease (Picture: RSPCA)
The owl was said to be ‘not too impressed’ by bath time (Picture: RSPCA)
Leanne took the owl to Ryedale Rehab where she was given critical care, cleaned up, dried off and taken in for monitoring.
Staff carefully washed the grease off of her feathers using washing up liquid to ensure no residue was left.
Leanne said: ‘The owl wasn’t too impressed by bathtime but, after towel drying her off and popping her in a warm cage to dry out, she looked and felt much better.
‘She’ll now stay at Ryedale Rehab until she’s been given a clean bill of health and is ready to be released back to the wild where, hopefully, she’ll stay away from any kitchens.’
The RSPCA issued the plea after a black female cat was hurt after getting her leg stuck in her collar (Pictures: RSPCA)
Pet owners have been warned about the dangers posed by certain types of collars after a cat fitted with the wrong one died having become snagged.
The RSPCA issued the plea after a black female cat was found collapsed at the side of a road in Aston, Birmingham, on December 6.
She had got her leg stuck in her collar which had been cutting into the skin under her arm.
RSPCA inspector Kate Levesley, who was called to collect the injured animal, said: ‘This poor cat was suffering terribly and in a really poor state as a result of her collar injury.
‘I think she had most likely been in this state for a while before someone spotted her.
‘I rushed her straight to our Birmingham Animal Hospital but sadly she died just as the vet was about to bring her in. It was so incredibly sad. She wasn’t microchipped and no owner was ever found.
‘These types of collars are such a hazard to cats who can so easily get stuck in them.’
The animal welfare charity warned that elasticated collars or those with buckles which do not open without human help can leave cats struggling to free themselves when their legs become stuck – causing horrific and sometimes fatal injuries.
It instead recommends a quick-release collar, which is designed to snap open when tugged with sufficient force.
There were more than 60 reports of cats who had been injured by their collars to the charity’s helpline last year (Picture: RSPCA)
Cats are natural hunters and curious explorers and enjoy squeezing themselves through tight spots, the RSPCA added, so it is vital that any collar is designed to free them if they become snagged so they do not get their leg caught.
There were more than 60 reports of cats who had been injured by their collars to the charity’s helpline last year.
Ollie the tabby cat was taken into care last July after being rescued in Biddulph. He was also suffering from a severe injury to his neck after getting his leg snagged in his buckle collar.
Rescuers believe he may have been roaming around with the painful injury for up to three weeks.
The collar was completely embedded into his neck and the wound was extremely smelly and infected.
He underwent surgery and was later rehomed after making a full recovery.
The RSPCA warned that elasticated collars or those with buckles which do not open without human help can leave cats struggling to free themselves (Picture: RSPCA)
Black cat Poppy was rescued in Sheffield in March last year after being found with a severe collar injury under her right front leg.
After spending weeks treating her, the vet fostered her for seven months while she recovered and then decided to give her a forever home.
Last January, grey long-haired cat Charlie was rescued in West Yorkshire after he was spotted limping with his foot stuck in his collar.
The collar had cut so deep into his armpit that it caused muscle damage. The vet believed he too had been suffering with the agonising pain for up to three weeks before he was found.
He underwent surgery the following day and also recovered well.
Alice Potter, the RSPCA’s cat welfare expert, added: ‘We would strongly advise against purchasing a collar with buckles that don’t snap open, or collars made from elastic.
‘The majority of flea collars are also not advisable as they do not have safety buckles, so we would encourage pet owners to prioritise safety first and give your cat flea treatment another way.
‘The most reliable way to identify your cat is to have them microchipped rather than having a collar and tag which may fade over time, or hinder them when they explore.
‘It is also far better to have to pay for a new collar if your pet has lost theirs than to have to pay for urgent veterinary treatment when your pet becomes injured due to its collar.’
The man throws the poor animal through the open skylight (Picture: MEN media)
This is the shocking moment a man throws a cat out of a skylight window.
The disturbing footage starts with a man stroking the cat before another man picks it up around the midriff.
He then hurls it through the open window on the top floor of a home and slams it shut.
The RSPCA described the incident as ‘extremely concerning’ and have launched an investigation.
Information shared alongside the video suggests it was recorded in a house just off Beverley Road in Hull.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said: ‘We are aware of this extremely concerning video and are looking into it.
‘If anyone has any information about this please contact our cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.’
The ‘sickening’ video was slammed by locals on social media.
‘What’s funny about an innocent animal getting thrown out of a window?’ one person said.
‘It’s disgusting, it’s animal abuse. It might be someone’s family cat. I’m sickened by the thought.’
But responding in the comments, one man claiming he was present at the time said: ‘Everyone seems to think the cat’s been thrown out to the ground, it got put back on the roof.
‘It’s been on and off for two weeks, it’s obviously stray – went to put it back out and panicked about it having fleas and God knows what else.
‘The cat came back to the window two hours later trying to get in.’
Michael Dawson, aged 49, was fined £1,000 for allowing the dog in his care to have its ears cut off (Picture: RSPCA)
A dog breeder has been fined for allowing a puppy in his care to have its ears cut off.
Michael Dawson, aged 49, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court.
But he was not banned from keeping animals because he said breeding dogs was his only source of income.
Police and the RSPCA raided his home in Plymouth and found the American Pocket Bully dog – named Riot – in a crate in the garden with its ears cropped.
The tan and white dog was seized by the animal charity and has since been rehomed.
Dawson, of Kings Tamerton Road, pleaded guilty to permitting another person to perform a prohibited procedure, or failing to protect a protected animal, in June 2019.
He told the court that he had bought the puppy from a Scottish breeder for £5,000, and sent Riot away to meet a potential mate.
Dawson said he was ‘upset’ when the dog returned with her ears cropped.
The American Pocket Bully dog, called Riot, was found in a crate in the garden with its ears cropped (Picture: RSPCA)
Both of her ears had been surgically removed and still had stitches in, and she was covered with pink antibiotic spray (Picture: RSPCA)
A vet who examined Riot found both of her ears had been surgically removed and still had stitches in, and she was covered with pink antibiotic spray.
Biopsies taken from the dog showed the injuries had been inflicted around two weeks earlier.
An RSPCA spokesperson said Riot was taken into foster care when the multi-agency warrant was executed with Plymouth City Council at the fore.
‘Riot was signed over to the RSPCA in March 2020 and settled in well to her new home,’ they added.
The RSPCA said ear-cropping was on the increase in the UK, despite it being illegal. It is allowed in America and other European countries.
Riot was rehomed in March 2020 and is now settled (Picture: RSPCA)
The charity claimed people were encouraged by celebrities who had cropped dogs – but said it is painful and affects a dog’s hearing.
Dawson was fined in November at the same court for having illegal veterinary medicines.
Dawson and his company, Element Bullys, admitted having five substances, including a prescription-only antibiotic treatment for dogs.
It followed a raid under a search warrant by officials from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Both Dawson and the company, where he is the sole registered director, admitted possessing unauthorised medicinal products in June last year.
Dawson was fined £265 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Element Bullys Ltd, based at Faraday Mill Business Park in Cattedown, was fined £1,500 plus a £150 victim surcharge.
The swan was rescued by the RSPCA where it is being cleaned off (Picture: Apex/RSPCA)
Animal experts have put out a call for donations of Fairy liquid to help clean as black swan that should be white.
The bird was found over the weekend covered in a black substance, believed to be tone from a printer cartridge dumped in its pond in Westbury, Wiltshire.
Steph Daly, an RSPCA inspector, said: ‘I was horrified because it looked like a black swan.
‘We’re still really baffled as to what this substance is. He’s been washed a number of times but it’s not all off yet.
‘Out of all the washing up liquids, it’s only Fairy they use and they’ve put a shout out for donations because they get through quite a lot.’
The swan was rescued from the water in Westbury, Wiltshire (Credits: RSPCA/APEX)
Her colleague Miranda Albinson said: ‘The bird was preening to try and clean off the substance but while they are doing this they are not feeding and they will become weak so we have to act fast before this happens.
‘If a substance like this is not removed from waterbirds it reduces the natural waterproofing in their plumage, leaving them at risk of dying from hypothermia – so it is vital that they are treated as soon as possible.
The Environment Agency said the ‘pollution was contained and not likely to worsen’.
The dye is thought to have come from printer toner (Picture: Apex/RSPCA)
Steph added: ‘We were really concerned because of the state of it. We assumed it was oil but it’s more powdery like photocopier ink toner.’
The charity said staff were ‘busy with the job of washing the substance off’ but with each wash taking 30 minutes, it was ‘labour intensive’.
It has been washed with Fairy Liquid to try and get it clean (Picture: Apex/RSPCA)
‘It sounds like there was a deliberate act of someone disposing of something they shouldn’t have done,” said Ian Withers, from the agency.
‘We will follow up and try and find the perpetrators.’
Persimmon Homes Wessex, which owns the land, said it will ‘work closely with the local council to help find a resolution’.
Andrew Hubball, 52, says a man tried to take his beloved dog Jess (Picture: Andrew Hubball/BPM Media)
A man has issued a warning to pet owners after two men falsely claiming to work for the RSPCA tried to steal his dog.
Andrew Hubball, 52, from Heanor, Derbyshire, says he was approached by a man ‘investigating dog thefts in the area’ as he walked his dog Jess on Hands Road.
The man asked Andrew to place Jess in the back of a van, which had the RSPCA logo on it, so he could ‘verify ownership’ at around 2.40pm on February 12.
But the postman had a feeling something wasn’t right when he saw a driver wearing a blue uniform had remained in the vehicle with the engine running.
Following up on his suspicions, he asked for proof that the men worked for the animal welfare charity. He says the pair suddenly drove away after being questioned.
Andrew wants to warn others not to fall for the scheme, as experts caution pet theft could be on the rise.
He said: ‘Something just didn’t seem right – why was the engine running and why had the driver stayed in? A normal animal vehicle has air vents, but there weren’t any.’
Andrew added: ‘People need to be aware. If a kid had been walking the dog or an elderly person, they might’ve put them in the back of the van.’
The men claimed to be ‘investigating dog thefts in the area’ (Picture: Andrew Hubball/BPM Media)
They drove away quickly when questioned (Picture: Andrew Hubball/BPM Media)
The RSPCA said it was ‘extremely worrying’ to hear people have been posing as fake inspectors.
A statement read: ‘We want to ensure that the public, their animals and our own staff are safe, and that our officers can continue to carry out their vital work without being compromised by bogus officials.
‘We’ve been made aware of a number of incidents in different areas of the country in which people have been targeted in their own homes or while out walking their dogs.
‘In some cases, police have been made aware of the circumstances and we’ve also been informed.’
A spokesperson told Staffordshire Live the charity had heard anecdotally there has been a rise in the number of pet thefts over the past year ‘due to the value of many breeds and the demand for pets during lockdown’.
Genuine RSPCA officers will only approach people in public if they have witnessed an incident of animal cruelty or spot an animal in immediate danger.
They will wear branded clothing, which may include a white shirt and navy blue fleece or coat, and will always be carrying RSPCA identification.
Most officers drive white vans wrapped in branding or with small navy RSPCA logos on the side and rear of the vehicle – although these can be removed for operational or safety reasons.
Anyone who is concerned someone may have posed as an RSPCA worker is asked to report the incident to police.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
Scott Thomas had purchased a Doberman Pinscher (Picture: Getty Images/Instagram)
Scott Thomas has apologised after he purchased a pet dog with clipped ears.
The Love Island star, 32, faced backlash from fans after uploading a set of snaps with him holding the Doberman Pinscher, who he decided to name Doberman Juno.
Taking to Instagram to share the photos, he wrote: ‘Since I was a kid I always wanted my very own dog and I’ve been thinking about it for so long.
‘Sometimes you’ve just got to ask yourself what are you actually waiting for? Life I far too short!
‘I feel like with my new lifestyle I’m now in a position to give one a good home.’
He added: ‘So on that note meet my new baby Doberman Juno. So Excited for this new little chapter with my new bestie.’
However, fans were quick to notice that the pooch’s ears had been clipped – a practice which is illegal in England and Wales, under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Scott had named his dog Doberman Juno (Picture: Instagram)
Despite this, it is still possible to buy dogs with clipped ears from abroad.
Scott’s followers rushed to the comments to criticise his decision to purchase a pet with cropped ears, however, as a result of the backlash, he later turned off commenting.
The reality star has since apologised, claiming that the dog was already in the UK at the time of purchase, but he also does not want to ‘condone or glamorise’ the practice of clipped ears.
Fans were quick to point out that the dog’s ears were clipped (Picture: Instagram)
In a statement reported by The Sun, he said: ‘Firstly I would like to apologise for any upset or offence caused. Secondly I would like to say I have been a huge lover of animals all my life and would never intentionally mean harm to any living creature…
‘The puppy I decided on was already in the country and had previously been cropped and docked. In hindsight I should have done more research into the procedure and don’t want to condone or glamorise this.’
He added: ‘This is a lesson I have most definitely learnt from and I hope other people will take time to educate themselves on the subject too.’
Scott’s Love Island co-star Eyal Booker has also apologised for commenting ‘best picture’ on the post (Picture: Rex)
Scott’s fellow Love Island co-star Eyal Brooker – who is an ambassador for the RSPCA – also apologised for commenting ‘best picture’ on the post.
Taking to Instagram, he said: ‘I would love to publicly apologise on my Instagram, I commented on [a picture of] Scotty Thomas with his new dog and I commented on it saying “best picture”.
‘I did not look into the picture I didn’t really look at the dog properly, and the dog has had its ears cropped which I do not condone. It is illegal in the UK and I fight against ear cropping.
‘I will continue to fight against ear cropping of dogs anywhere in the world and especially in the UK. I am sorry to the RSPCA and anyone else out there who saw it and I offended.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Scott Thomas for further comment.
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Increasing numbers of distraught owners are reporting dog thefts – here’s some tips to avoid buying a stolen pet (Picture: Getty)
An apparent rise in dog theft during lockdown has understandably left owners and prospective buyers worried about how best to protect their pets.
As lockdown forces Britons to continue working from home, more families are welcoming dogs into their households, leading to the price for puppies – especially pedigrees and crossbreeds – to ‘skyrocket’.
Dogs Trust said it is ‘no wonder’ criminals are capitalising on this rise in demand, as increasing reports emerge of devastated families who helplessly watched as strangers ran off with their dogs.
Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance previously warned the public to be ‘vigilant’ when walking their dogs and that ‘nowhere is safe’, while the RSPCA said the hike in dognapping is ‘really concerning’.
‘Pet theft is a heartbreaking and distressing situation for both pets and their owners,’ an RSPCA spokesperson told Metro.co.uk.
A thief tried to steal Maisy McAdam’s guide dog Willow (Picture: Instagram/Maisy McAdam)
Mike Jasper was attacked by dogsnatchers who ran off with his beloved Ted, prompting the family to offer a £5,000 reward (Picture: Lucinda Jasper/SWNS)
‘We believe the rise in dognapping could be as a result of the surging popularity, and value, of certain “designer” breeds and crossbreeds, especially as the demand for dogs has skyrocketed during lockdown.’
What can prospective owners do to avoid buying a stolen dog?
Firstly, experts warn against buying a dog from an advert on social media or a classified website.
At the start of January this year, Dogs Trust found there were over 1,000 adverts for dogs on three of the largest classified websites – a 59% increase compared to the same period in 2020.
‘Source your new dog responsibly by using a reputable animal charity or rescue organisation, or use The Puppy Contract to find a responsible breeder and buy a happy, healthy puppy,’ an RSPCA spokesperson told Metro.co.uk.
The best place to start searching for trustworthy rescues and charities across the UK and Ireland is the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH).
The RSPCA and Dogs Trust shared their tips for prospective pet owners (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
For those looking to buy from a breeder, The Puppy Contract gives prospective dog owners all the relevant information they need to make an informed decision.
The RSPCA insists you should always visit the dog in person before paying a deposit or arranging its collection.
‘Check his general condition and welfare, ask to see relevant paperwork such as registration documents, health and vaccination records, and microchip information,’ added the spokesperson.
All puppies should be microchipped at eight weeks old and registered to a breeder, so potential owners should be able to check whether the paperwork matches.
Dogs Trust added that you should always ask to see puppy and mum together at their home – even if it’s via video call due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Experts insist you should ‘ask lots of questions’ and expect to be questioned too as a good breeder will want to know the puppy is going to a safe home.
Two heartbroken schoolgirls pleaded for the safe return of their dachshunds while their parents offered a £20,000 reward (Picture: Mercury Press)
Finally, check websites such as DogLost and AnimalSearchUK for any similar images or descriptions that could match your new pet to make sure you’re not buying one that’s been registered as missing or stolen.
If you are suspicious that a dog may be stolen do not buy it and report your concerns to police on 101, or if you feel pressured into buying or feel something isn’t right, report the breeder to Trading Standards.
The RSPCA urged owners to ‘take extra precautions’ to protect dogs from thieves, like neutering pets, ensuring they are microchipped with up-to-date contact details registered, and attaching an engraved ID tag with contact numbers to their collar.
‘We’d also advise that owners never leave their pets tied up outside shops or alone in cars, ensure their gardens are secure with gates locked, and ensure their pet has a good recall and doesn’t stray too far when off-lead on walks,’ added a spokesperson.
‘Anyone who suspects their dog may have been stolen should immediately alert police, contact their microchip company to register their pet as stolen and inform local rescue groups, vets, dog walkers and neighbours.’
How to get these guys ready for another new normal (Picture: Altan Gocher/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Now we’ve learned what the Government’s roadmap to leave lockdown looks like, we can start planning for the future again.
While that includes a lot of happy possibilities, for cat owners, it also includes having to get your pets used to you not being around as much.
Many of us have been working from home for most if not all of the last year, and our cats have got used to our near-constant presence.
It’s important that as things go back to ‘normal’, we don’t rush back to work assuming our independent felines won’t be bothered by our sudden absence.
The RSPCA’s cat welfare expert, Alice Potter, said: ‘Compared to dogs, who are a highly social species, cats naturally live in small family groups and can often cope with a more solitary life. This means they can sometimes seem aloof to us and at times, just want to do their own thing without us.
‘But even if your cat isn’t a fuss-loving, attention-seeking lap cat they can still get stressed from your return to work so take time to make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible.’
It’s worth easing your cat back into your working-in-office lifestyle.
Sarah Tapsell, one of the RSPCA’s regional clinical animal behaviourists, said: ‘All cats are individuals and some may enjoy human companionship and time with people more than others.
‘This means there will likely be some cats who are enjoying the increased time spent with their owners during lockdown whereas other cats may be happy to have more quiet time when you return to work.
‘Whichever kind of cat you have, cats can be sensitive to change, and so a change in routine can cause stress to your cat.’
Cats can be sensitive to changes in routine (Picture: John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The RSPCA's top tips for getting your cat ready for your return to work are:
Any changes in routine should be introduced gradually
Ensure your cat has hiding places and elevated resting places which help relieve stress for cats by offering them a safe place to hide
Ensure you aren’t over handling your cat to try and comfort them. Being picked up or followed around can add to their stress if this is not their choice
Gradually adjust your routine to what it will be when you return to work i.e. feeding times and frequency, play times
Help prevent boredom whilst you are at work by providing puzzle feeders, toys and scratching posts – this is especially important for indoor cats
Your life may become a lot busier after lockdown, but it’s important to ensure you still spend quality time with your cat every day.
Sarah said: ‘It is important to make any changes gradually, whilst still ensuring all their needs are met.
‘Before going back to work it’s a good idea to gradually reduce the amount of interaction you have with your cat to help them prepare for your return to work.
‘For some cats, a sudden reduction in interaction could lead to stress and frustration as the cat’s expectations are not being met, although others may be happier to have less interaction.
‘It’s important to try and identify how your cat is feeling especially if they are doing something that is unusual for them compared to how they are normally.
‘A cat who seeks more interaction from you and maybe plays more roughly with you may be frustrated or bored and struggling with the reduction in attention. A quiet and withdrawn, or more irritable cat may be stressed and in need of their own space.
Changes to your routine should be made gradually (Picture: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)
‘It can be useful to recognise this, so you can give them their own time and a safe place to rest. If you know your cat well, you will likely know where their favourite places are.
‘Once you do go back to work, ensuring you still spend quality time with your pet when you return, and doing things which they enjoy such as playing or grooming is also important in helping them get used to any changes.’
And while you’ll likely miss your cat when you do return to the office, make sure you don’t smother them with love to make up for no longer working from home.
We know, you missed them. But you don’t want to overwhelm your kitty.
‘After spending so much time together during lockdown you’ll probably be excited to see your cat after a long day at work,’ said Alice.
‘Once you get home though, it’s best to keep things calm and give them time to greet you on their terms.
‘Look out for the cues that your cat gives to show they want to spend time with you, or if they’d rather have some alone time.
‘For example, approaching you with their tail held up with the end pointed horizontally is a friendly greeting and a cat that is hiding needs to be given space.’
The abandoned dog was so underweight his ribs were visible through his skin (Pictures: SWNS)
Heartbreaking pictures reveal the plight of an abandoned dog found so severely malnourished he could barely stand or walk.
The poor animal was discovered by a member of the public on Monday night in Summerfield Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
It is feared the emaciated dog, believed to be a mastiff, was dumped after being neglected.
He was so underweight his ribs were visible through his skin.
The RSPCA are investigating and have appealed for information from anyone who may know the owner of the dog, as it was not microchipped.
The dog is now receiving emergency treatment at the vets.
RSCPA inspector Vikki Taylor said: ‘It is so sad to see how emaciated and weak this dog is and it appears he has probably been left laying down on a hard surface – maybe in a garden or kennel – for long periods of time which has caused pressure wounds.
‘These have become infected probably because he has been left lying in his own faeces and urine.
The poor dog was rushed to a vet for emergency treatment (Picture: SWNS)
The animal, thought to be a mastiff, could hardly stand or walk (Picture: SWNS)
‘He just doesn’t seem used to walking at all – it is so sad.’
It is feared the dog may have underlying health issues.
‘But he is a lovely friendly dog in spite of what he has clearly been through,’ she added.
‘I believe his owner deliberately decided to dump him and left him in such a weak and neglected state in the park at night.
‘I am grateful to the person who found him and alerted us.
‘I am now keen to find the person responsible for this and hope someone may be able to tell me who owned the dog.
‘I would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen something suspicious in this area around the time the dog was dumped.’
Bruce the bull-lurcher was rushed to the vets – where one member of staff fell in love with him and decided to adopt him permanently in March last year.
Ollie the tabby cat got very tightly wedged (Picture: SWNS)
A cat who managed to get stuck in a narrow gap between a wall and conservatory had to be rescued by firefighters.
Ollie the tabby cat was so tightly wedged in that a crew were forced to cut a hole in the wall of his owner’s home to free him.
Photos snapped by the fireman show the cat, of Broadstairs, Kent, looking sheepish after being saved yesterday.
Taking to social media to share the successful mission Kent Fire and Rescue said: ‘Ollie the cat is thankfully feline fine after crews rescued him from a tight spot in Broadstairs this weekend.
‘The curious fluffball found himself stuck upside down, between a conservatory and a wall.
Firefighters had to break a hole in the wall (Picture: SWNS)
Ollie is now safe and well (Picture: SWNS)
‘With help from our Technical Rescue team, crews created a hole in the external wall and rescued the poor puss, who was passed back into the care of his owner.”
White terrier Ted was found covered in blood and cowering in fear (Picture: MEN)
A father and son who battered their defenceless puppy in a horrific attack have been spared jail.
White terrier Ted was found cowering behind a door covered in blood and suffering a number of injuries, including a dislocated hip which would have left him in agony, at his home in Harrogate.
Russell Marriner, 56, and son William, 20, insisted the puppy had attacked them but neither were able to show any wounds, while little Ted’s blood was splattered throughout the living room.
The pair had bludgeoned the pup with a vegetable steamer and vets later found a number of small wounds all over Ted’s body matching the pattern of holes on the utensil. An axe was also found near a pool of blood close by.
Police officers rushed to the property after receiving a call about a dog being beaten and found Ted huddled behind the door.
RSPCA Inspector Nikki Cheetham, who led the investigation for the animal welfare charity and attended with the police, said they finally managed to rouse one of the men ‘and it became immediately apparent that the small dog, called Ted, was severely injured’.
She added: ‘He was covered in dried blood and he had a significant wound to the top of his head.
‘Both the men claimed Ted had attacked them but neither of them was able to show any injuries.’
They also saw a number of further bloodstains throughout the living room, including on a blood-covered metal vegetable steamer, on an axe and on a cardboard box.
A bloodied vegetable steamer and axe were pictured at the scene (Picture: MEN Media)
These items were seized as evidence and Ted was signed over into the RSPCA’s care.
Insp Cheetham said: ‘Ted was not able to weight bear on his right hind leg so I picked him up and carried him to my van. When we arrived at the vets, I found Ted cowering at the back of the kennel.
‘It took me several minutes to gain his trust.’
The cruel owners appeared at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court where they each admitted two animal welfare offences, including inflicting injuries on their dog and failing to ensure he received appropriate veterinary care for them.
Vets found Ted had bruising to his upper lip, a fractured tooth and a wound affecting his gums as well as bruising to his tongue, left eye and pinnae of both ears.
Radiographs also revealed Ted had a dislocated hip.
Ted’s injuries would have been ‘extremely painful’ (Picture: MEN Media)
The veterinary report said: ‘The injuries sustained are, in my opinion, consistent with assault and severe blunt force trauma.
‘It takes a very significant amount of force to dislocate the hip and this is an extremely painful injury that can in some cases require hip surgery and can cause long term complications.
‘In addition to physical pain, Ted was suffering from fear.
‘He was nervous around humans and it took my colleagues and I time and care to build trust with him. The injuries sustained were severe, painful and caused a great deal of suffering.’
Eventually, Ted did not need hip surgery but he was placed on heavy medication until he got better.
Ted has since found a new home (Picture: MEN Media)
The pup has since found a new home through the organisation’s York Animal Centre ‘where he will receive the love and attention that he deserves’.
Russell and William Marriner were handed 18-week prison sentences, suspended for 18 months, and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
They were also both ordered to attend a six-month alcohol treatment program.
Timmy the cat was rushed to hospital after being shot at close range in Harrogate, North Yorkshire (Picture: North News)
A cat has miraculously survived being blasted at point-blank range with a shotgun that sent shrapnel through its entire body.
Timmy the seven-year-old ginger cat was rushed to the vet after a neighbour in Markington, North Yorkshire, found him with a wound to his left shoulder.
An x-ray found a pellet had shattered the bone sending shrapnel all over his body, luckily missing his vital organs.
RSPCA Inspector Natalie Taylor said Timmy was on the brink of death before vets operated on his shoulder, saving his life.
Timmy’s body was left riddled with shrapnel (Picture: North News)
‘He is a much-loved pet cat and this was a callous and horrible act of cruelty against him.’
The vet also revealed Timmy was fired at close range which suggests ‘someone really wanted to hurt him’.
The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information about the shocking attack to come forward.
Ms Taylor added: ‘It is very distressing to think that people take pleasure in causing such horrific injuries to defenceless animals. These are deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty.
Vets had to shave Timmy’s fur to remove the pellet fragments (Picture: North News)
This disturbing x-ray shows just how many pellet fragments were left lodged inside the cat (Picture: North News)
She said: ‘His owners are understandably distraught, shocked and truly horrified by what has happened to Timmy.
‘We find cats are more susceptible to these kinds of incidents simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them.
‘More commonly, they can fall victim to airgun attacks but due to the nature of the shrapnel throughout poor Timmy’s body the vet believes his injury came from a shotgun.’
Anyone caught deliberately injuring an animal can face up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine if found guilty under the Animal Welfare Act.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
The dog’s owner Rebecca Sabben-Clare said she wishes she put her dog on a lead(Picture: Duncan Phillips)
The owner of a dog that mauled a seal by the River Thames will not face criminal charges.
Rebecca Sabben-Clare QC said she was ‘heartbroken by this terrible accident’ and apologised.
The top barrister attempted to pull her dog off the seal – affectionately named Freddie Mercury by locals in Barnes, west London – but the animal suffered serious injuries and was put down at South Essex Wildlife Hospital in Tilbury.
Miss Sabben-Clare said: ‘As an animal lover, I fully understand the dismay that has been expressed. I apologise unreservedly for what happened.
‘In hindsight, I wish, of course, that the dog had been on a lead but at the time it did not seem necessary.
‘I am hugely grateful to all those who helped at the scene. They were heroic.’
She also made a donation to the hospital which treated Freddie, praising the ‘wonderful work’ it does.
The Metropolitan Police said there would be no criminal action or further investigation taken by police.
The seal was nicknamed Freddie Mercury after becoming a local celebrity around Barnes (Picture: Facebook)
The dog’s owner and several others rushed to pull the dog off the seal (Picture: Duncan Phillips)
A force spokesperson said: ‘Police have investigated the death of a seal after it was injured by a dog on the River Thames near Hammersmith Bridge.
‘Officers attended the location at approximately 12.39hrs on Sunday March 21 along with colleagues from the London Fire Brigade.
‘Following the investigation, there will be no further criminal investigation or criminal action taken by police in regards to this matter.’
Miss Sabben-Clare was interviewed by the RSPCA who said it was not a case of deliberate cruelty so it was not an incident they would investigate.
The seal had to be put down after suffering serious injuries (Picture: Duncan Phillips)
The Met Police and RSPCA said they would not take any further action (Picture: Duncan Phillips)
The charity said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the incident and that it highlighted the need to keep dogs on leads near wild animals.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘We investigate animal welfare offences. Dog attacks on animals would become an animal welfare offence if it was done deliberately.
‘If no offences have been committed under relevant animal welfare acts we are unable to take incidents further. Offences involving dogs out of control are investigated by the police.
‘In this instance, we spoke to the owner and as this was not a case of deliberate cruelty, it is not an offence we would investigate.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
Bella has made a remarkable recovery after being hurled into a freezing river (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
A dog that was tied to a massive rock and hurled into a freezing river has found her ‘forever home’ with a new family.
Bella was saved by heroic passer-by Jane Harper who found the Belgian Shepherd up to her neck in water and bravely leapt into the River Trent.
The dog was taken to a vet for emergency treatment and went on to make a remarkable recovery in the care of the RSPCA.
After 15 months of rehab, the 11-year-old dog has found a new home in South Derbyshire with Maggie Mellish and Charlie Douglas.
Maggie, 79, said: ‘We’ve had three Shepherd-type dogs over the last 30 years and really love them.
‘We lost our rescue dog two years ago and my daughter’s dog this year. We did really miss them.
‘Then we saw Bella’s story in the press a few weeks ago and the fact she needed a home, so my daughter encouraged us to apply for her.
‘We know she will need regular vet appointments and are willing to finance those.
Jane Harper rescues Bella from the river (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Bella’s previous owner was given a 12-month community order over the sickening incident (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
The massive rock Bella was tied to (Picture: SWNS)
Bella was lucky to survive her ordeal (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Bella was rushed to the vet for emergency treatment (Picture: SWNS)
‘We know she is in her older years but we just want to offer her a loving home she so deserves after all she has been through.’
The couple went to enjoy some time with Bella on Wednesday at the centre which has cared for her.
Bella’s rescuers, Ms Harper and her friend Joanne Bellamy, were also invited along to Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham to witness the happy occasion.
Jane said: ‘It is quite emotional seeing Bella as it brings back memories of that terrible day, but we are thrilled to see how she has been transformed by staff here at the RSPCA.
Bella was cared for by the RSPCA for 15 months before she found her forever home (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Bella with her new owners Maggie Mellish and Charlie Douglas (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Bella was reunited with her rescuers Jane Harper and Joanne Bellamy at the RSPCA centre (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
‘She looks like a different dog. Her coat is beautiful and she looks so happy and full of life.’
Bella was fortunate to survive her ordeal in the freezing cold water, and it was later discovered she had a range of complex health needs.
Ella Carpenter, manager at the centre, said: ‘This is the perfect happy ending to a story which started off so sad and there were real doubts if Bella could pull through after her terrible ordeal.
‘At times we thought she just wouldn’t make it, with her age and underlying health conditions all against her.
‘But Bella has fought every day, showing enviable strength and courage, not wanting to give up her fight to recover.’
Bella’s former owner Charlene Latham, 32, was sentenced to a 12-month community order last month after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to her pet.
She was disqualified from keeping dogs for three years and fined £80 at Nottingham Magistrates Court.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
