Published: April 30, 2007
Burnham-On-Sea animal carers shocked by spate of cruelty cases

Shocked animal carers at Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre, near Burnham-On-Sea, have been left reeling this week after a spate of a cruelty cases reported to them in recent days.

A duck brought in last Thursday had been stoned in Burnham, followed by a herring gull that had been shot and left in Highbridge.

On Friday night a hedgehog was brought from Bridgwater having been used as a football and finally having a concrete slab thrown on top of it. All of the animals were too badly injured to be saved.

Responding to a call on Saturday morning in the West Huntspill area, charity founder Pauline Kidner was also called to help a horse that had been left tied up by a rope halter and rope since Thursday morning.

The horse had eaten all the grass it could reach and was without water. Its rope was tightly caught around its back leg, which in turn had tightened the head collar so much so that it had broken the skin on the bridge of the horse's nose.

"I just cannot believe the sheer stupidity of people who have little or no feelings for animals. To gain some kind of fun from hurting animals in this way is beyond belief," she told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"I urge anyone seeing these kinds of malicious attacks to take descriptions of the people involved and to report it to the police. Whilst we are here to help injured animals, it is very upsetting to know that the wounds have been inflicted intentionally and very often we are unable to save them," added Pauline.

"We would like to thank the vets at Quantock Veterinary Centre who work so hard to help us save wildlife and give them a second chance."