Keep Alive at Any Cost

[den]

People who insist on keeping an injured wild animal alive at any cost really annoy me.

I've just been handed an injured corella. They hit it in their car and brought to to me. I questioned them a bit to get details for the rescue form (Where did it come from, how was it injured etc) and they casually mentioned that they'd hit it on Thursday. Today is Saturday.

That wild bird has been injured, in shock, and handled for 2 days! They didn't want to take it to a vet in case the bird was unsaveable and had to be euthanased. They told me if it was going to be euthanased then they would take it home with them. I examined the corella and discovered a compound fracture in the left wing, with the bone protruding through the skin, and the sturnum moved when I touched it. I didn't tell them that.

Then I had to LIE to these people and tell them that I'd make sure the bird would go to the local parrot expert to be cared for. I lied because it was the only way to get it away from them. They had a galah in the van they'd had for seven years. That was another road injury they'd kept. Buggered if I know how long that one was in pain before the wing healed over, but judging by the way the bird was holding it, it can't fly.

2 days. How fucking cruel is that? Imagin yourself in that position.

Comments

[lonita.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going to be sick.

You don't keep wild birds. Operative word: WILD. If they can't stay that way, you have to euthanise them. They aren't pets.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

I'm really angry about this

[lonita.livejournal.com]

If I were an evil person, I'd report them to the police and have them charged with cruelty to animals.

[ursulav.livejournal.com]

God, that's horrible. I mean, the hypocrisy--you want to keep the animal alive at all costs, so you wait two days before bringing it in. Sheesh.

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

I understand that it was an accident when they hit it, but I would think that keeping it for 2 days without seeking medical attention would be considered cruelty to animals. In their own stupid moronic way they want to help, but they obviously cannot get it thru their heads that they hurt more when they help. Any chance of reporting them for cruelty to animals? Sounds like the bird that they currently have (eventhough they have had it 7 years) was not treated and that in itself could be considered cruel.


Oh yeah, I am hating them with ya.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

If I report them, or if they discovered that I was going to euthanase it, then the next time it happens they won't hand in the bird or animal.

[http://users.livejournal.com/crossfire_/]

And this differs from their current behavior exactly how? It's clear that they keep injured animals if they think they'll heal up on their own, and only turn them in if they are badly injured (and then only after a few days).

You're not doing any animals any favors by not reporting these...people.

[kelloggs2066.livejournal.com]

Very very sad. :(

You know that in their hearts, they just don't want to
see the bird hurt, but prolonging the agony just isn't
the way.

You know in your heart that you don't want to hurt the
bird either, but you have to make the tough decision to
put it down. It's not an easy decision, and I'm sure
you're doing the right thing. But, I think your anger
with them comes from the fact that you had to make the
difficult decision and they didn't.

They're not bad people. They don't want the bird to
suffer. They just don't understand the depth of the
suffering it was already in. You're the expert. You do.
Mercy is seldom merciful.

I'm really sorry, Den. I know very well why you're angry.
Please believe that you're doing the right thing, no
matter how it hurts.

Your friend,

Scott

[tatterdemalion.livejournal.com]

Oh god, thats just horrible, poor bird (s)

Poor you

Re:

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's true. I forgot to think about that.

Dang.

[ursulav.livejournal.com]

I suggest guilt. Call 'em up, tell them coolly that the bird was euthanased BECAUSE they waited two days to bring it in. Hammer home that had the bird gotten medical care immediately, it could have been saved, but because they waited, there was no chance the animal would recover and it was humanely put down.

You may be lying--it sounds as if no amount of care would fix the poor beast, and it should be let go--but it's in a good cause, and if they're gonna be jerks, at least maybe next time, they'll be jerks who bring the animal in right away.

[ajina.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. That's awful. :(

[fledchen.livejournal.com]

I'm disgusted. Poor birdie. I wonder how *they* would feel if someone hit them with a car and refused to allow them to see a doctor for 2 days? An irreparably injured wild animal is much better off being euthanized, rather than being forced to suffer a painful lingering death. A broken breastbone? I'm surprised the little guy survived as long as he did, and didn't die of shock in one night.
People lucky enough to live near wild parrots should be respectful enough to give a damn about them.