California: Residents, police team up to remove impaled coyote

CALIFORNIA -- The blood-curdling scream of an injured coyote led residents to a horrifying discovery at 2:30 a.m. Sunday—a coyote had impaled itself on a wrought-iron fence on Daisy Drive in Chino Hills.

The coyote had been running in a pack in pursuit of a dog on nearby Bluebell Drive when they were chased away by a resident returning home from work.

Kevin Stenson of Daisy Drive said he joined his neighbors after being awaken by what he called a “terrible death scream.”

They found the coyote across the street from Mr. Stenson’s house impaled on his neighbor’s fence.

“It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen,” Mr. Stenson said. “His back legs were sticking out of the fence and he was bleeding—it looked crazy.”

The residents called the Chino Hills Police Department and were advised to contact the Inland Valley Humane Society. When they got a recorded message they contacted the police again.

Deputies Sokly Chau and Juan Frias arrived on the scene and attempted to call the humane society, but also got the recording.

At that point, the residents and deputies carefully removed the coyote and placed it into a dog container. One of the deputies placed the container in his patrol vehicle and drove the animal to a remote place where it was released into the wild.

James Edward, operations manager for the Inland Valley Humane Society, said the recorded message contains a phone number for emergencies that connect to an answering service.

Mr. Edward said he checked the logs, contacted the answering service, and found no record of any calls that morning.

Mr. Stenson said the deputies did what they could to contact the humane society. “They were awesome. They went above and beyond the call of duty,” he said.

He said the humane society should automatically forward emergency calls. “This is 2017. It shouldn’t be that difficult,” he said. “Can’t you just “push 1” or “push 2?” he asked.

Mr. Edward said the phone system was set up to include the answering service number but it doesn’t mean it’s the right setup. He said the humane society has already contacted its phone provider to see if there is a viable solution.

Capt. Darren Goodman commended the deputies for taking action after reaching a recording at 2:30 a.m. while an animal was impaled.

He said the deputy made a judgment call to release the animal based on the facts in front of him. “The animal was showing enough signs of resiliency to release it into its own natural environment,” he said.

For after-hours emergencies, residents should call the humane society answering service at 594-9858. Mr. Edward said emergencies are defined as an injured animal, an aggressive animal, or a police department assist.

(Champion Newspapers - September 2, 2017)

United Kingdom: Swan rescued at Ranworth Broad with fishing hook through its tongue

UNITED KINGDOM -- A swan is today recovering after being found at Ranworth with a fishing hook through its tongue.

The swan was found by staff from Norfolk Wildlife Trust at Ranworth Broads nature reserve on Friday morning. RSPCA animal collection officer Amy Crisp rushed out to the nature reserve in search of the injured bird after receiving a call from the team.

ACO Crisp said: “The swan’s injuries weren’t obvious from afar so he is lucky that people were very vigilant that day, but once we were up close it was clear he was seriously hurt.

“I could see the blood coming from his mouth, dripping onto his beautiful white feathers. The team from Norfolk Wildlife Trust and I worked together to approach the swan on boats and managed to swiftly confine him.

“Unfortunately, swans and geese are often admitted to our wildlife centres as a result of being entangled in, swallowing, or being injured by, fishing litter. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

A volunteer driver for the RSPCA transported the swan to RSPCA East Winch, a specialist wildlife centre, where he underwent immediate surgery to remove the hook from his tongue.

RSPCA East Winch centre manager Alison Charles said: “Thankfully the surgery was a success and the swan is now recovering. Our team is very experienced with wild birds and we are hopeful he will make a good recovery and, in time, can be released back to Ranworth Broads and be reunited with his mate.”

She added: “I would strongly urge those who enjoy fishing to be extra cautious when packing up to make sure no litter is left behind. Most anglers are very responsible when disposing of their litter, but it only takes one careless person to endanger the life of an animal.

“If any member of the public sees discarded litter around if they could pick it up and put it in the bin they may save an animal’s life.

“All sorts of litter can cause problems: line can wrap around necks causing deep wounds in flesh and cutting off the blood supply; hooks can pierce beaks, become embedded in skin or get caught in the bird’s throat and weights can be swallowed causing internal injuries and blockages.”

If you spot an animal in distress, call the RSPCA’s helpline on 0300 1234 999. To support the RSPCA text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).

(Great Yarmouth Mercury - May 1, 2017)

South Africa: Swift response to rescue impaled dog

SOUTH AFRICA -- It was a close call for a loved pet when a dog was found impaled on a spiked fence in Isipingo Beach on Friday.

While patrolling in the Isipingo Beach area, concerned residents alerted Alpha response officers to the injured dog.

The dog was found alive but hanging from a spiked fence. It had impaled its hind legs between the spikes and was hanging precariously about a meter off the ground.

Fortunately, concerned neighbors had contacted the SPCA who arrived at the scene within 10 minutes.

They carefully muzzled the dog and with the assistance of Alpha armed response officers and a concerned neighbor, they were able to lift the dog off the spike.

The owners of the dog were contacted and the dog was transported to the nearest vet for treatment.

(Rising Sun - Dec 8, 2015)

California: Boy, 14, accused of stealing and torturing cats to death. Allegedly told police "Killing a cat is like killing a sheet of paper. It is nothing to kill a cat."

CALIFORNIA -- When Jacksonville, Florida, resident Adam Arendell opened the door and let his cat, Camus, outside, he had no idea that he would never see her alive again.

Camus' body was found several days later lying in a nearby alley, burned almost beyond recognition. She had been doused with lighter fluid and set on fire.

The alleged perpetrator - a 14-year-old boy who was reportedly found with two severely injured cats in his backpack and who admitted to killing at least five other cats - told the police, "Killing a cat is like killing a sheet of paper. It is nothing to kill a cat."

Mr. Arendell probably thought he lived in a "nice" neighborhood, where people don't do things like setting helpless animals on fire. But cruelty and intolerance are not defined by ZIP code: Terrible things happen to stray, feral and "indoor-outdoor" cats every day.

PETA receives hundreds of reports of abuse every month. Many cats "disappear" and are never found - most, no doubt, victims of foul play.

During the past month alone, dozens of cats across the country were abused and/or killed by cruel humans, including some cats in Antioch, California; Jefferson, Ohio; and Houston, Texas, who were found suffering from severe burns after apparently being intentionally set on fire.

Unknown assailants armed with guns, arrows and even blow darts shot cats in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Washington. The remains of dismembered cats were found in El Paso and Houston, Texas, and in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Two cats in Dallas were found impaled on a fence, with the spikes protruding through their hind legs. One cat had to be euthanized because of the severity of the injuries, and the other cat escaped while being freed from the fence

Other cats are poisoned by intolerant neighbors who view them as "pests" and don't want them digging in their yards or climbing on their cars.

Cats in a Reeds Spring, Missouri, trailer park were found dead after residents received letters from an anonymous person urging them to set out antifreeze to kill free-roaming cats.

And still other cats are attacked and killed by wildlife, including a cat in North Carolina who was killed by coyotes in an attack witnessed by a horrified neighbor who described seeing the coyotes corral and kill the cat, taking turns grabbing and shaking the cat with their mouths.

In Palo Alto, California, coyote attacks are so common that animal control officials report picking up feline victims nearly every day.

Could your cat be the next victim? If you allow your cat to roam outdoors unsupervised, he or she certainly could be.

There's no question about it: Cats are safest and happiest living indoors. The average lifespan of an indoor cat is 12 years, versus just two to three years for cats who live outdoors. Not only are indoor cats safe from the dangers posed by two- and four-legged predators, they are also safe from traffic, and they're far less likely to contract deadly contagious diseases and parasites.

Local birds, bunnies and chipmunks breathe more easily as well when cats stay indoors: Every year, free-roaming cats terrorize, maim and kill billions of native birds and other small animals that aren't equipped to defend themselves against these non-native predators and are already struggling to survive because of human activity and population encroachment.

"Camus was a sweet and friendly cat; she was a part of our family and we'll forever regret not bringing her inside that day," Adam Arendell told a reporter.

Don't learn a hard lesson at your cat's expense. Keep your cat indoors.

(Merced Sun Star - Oct 22, 2014)