Published: June 22, 2009
Wildlife group's shock over rising animal cruelty in Burnham area

Staff at a wildlife charity near Burnham-On-Sea have this week expressed their shock at a spate of local animal cruelty cases.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue has had to deal with several animals who appear to have been badly mistreated.

Charity founder, Pauline Kidner, told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday: "In the main, we are so privileged that so many people care about wildlife and go that extra mile for them, but in the past few weeks we have seen several incidents that have been almost beyond belief."

She said that two weeks ago, a roe fawn was accidentally caught in a mower and the farmer merely threw the animal on the side and continued working. Luckily, a passer-by saw what had happened and brought the animal, pictured, to Secret World.

"Its front leg was completely sheared off and both back legs were broken. The animal had to be euthansed," said Pauline.

A badger, a gull and a buzzard have also been admitted to the East Huntspill charity with gun shot wounds in recent weeks.

Yesterday, Sunday, a hedgehog was also brought in by a member of the public, having caught children using it for a football.

"The hedgehog was immediately taken to the vets where it was x-rayed and found to have a fractured spine. This animal was beyond help," added Pauline.

On the same day, a member of the public telephoned to say that they had a hedgehog with a broken leg.

They were too busy to bring it in that day, but would bring it in during the week. It was explained to them that the animal should be given pain relief and antibiotics as soon as possible.

Pauline said: "They were contacted to ask for their address and a message left to say a response driver would be sent out if they gave their address. They did not ring back until this morning to say that it had died overnight."

This morning, Monday, Secret World was contacted with regards to a badger sett being totally destroyed and another call from a distraught person who had been feeding foxes in her garden for 11 years and who now has cubs.

"A neighbour does not like them and is campaigning to get someone in to destroy them. Should they leave the cubs behind, which are dependant, then this would be illegal under the new Animal Welfare Bill," she added.

"There is no excuse for cruelty. We will respond at all times," said Pauline. "People do not seem to think that wildlife feel pain. They have a right to."

Pictured are the injured deer (top) and an x-ray of a buzzard injured by gun shots