The RSPCA says it is 'looking into' allegations made about one of its inspectors, following claims they were "rude" and showed "zero care" for a fox which had been hit by a car in Sandown.
It's alleged the staff member, who works on the Island but is employed by the national organisation, repeatedly said he was going to take the fox away and 'put it down', despite pleas from onlookers to take it to the vets.
The incident is said to have happened outside Broadlea Primary School, Sandown on Friday (8).
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said its staff member did take the fox to a vet but it had to be put down due to its injuries being "unsurvivable".
It said the officer who attended is "experienced" and is "regularly praised for his compassion and professionalism".
So what is said to have happened?
After colliding with a car at around 8.20am, it's claimed the fox was awake and being cared for on the side of the road by Islander, Danny, who was driving past at the time.
The vehicle which hit the fox did not stop.
Danny said he called an independent animal rescue group. However, before they arrived a man allegedly wearing RSPCA clothing turned up.
Danny claims he tried to explain that the animal was conscious and needed urgent veterinary treatment.
The injured fox in a cage.
It's alleged the inspector said the fox's head was "crushed" and that it would not be taken to the vets. It's claimed the RSPCA employee repeatedly said it would be 'put down'.
Danny said the fox's head was not "crushed".
"He managed to get the fox in a cage and he put it in the van. I said [the animal rescue group] wants to see the fox. He said 'no f**k off away from my van', Danny said.
"I just wanted to prove to the [animal rescue group] that the fox's head wasn't crushed."
Danny said both himself, and the animal rescue group, offered to pay for veterinary treatment, but to no avail.
Both deemed the inspector's behaviour "unacceptable", and said he "had no care for the animal". Although the fox was eventually taken to the vets, they felt it wouldn't have been, had it not been for their intervention.
Complaints have been lodged with the charity.
What has the RSPCA said?
RSPCA Isle of Wight is a separately registered animal welfare charity and had no involvement in Friday's incident.
Although it acts completely independently of the national organisation's field staff, the charity said it would be making its own enquiries to the national branch.
A spokesperson for the Godshill branch said:
"Our wildlife department is open for all admissions and our busy team of dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly for animals in need. Naturally this care extends to foxes and we currently have a fox cub in our care, the second in a week, receiving critical rehabilitation to enable it to be returned to the wild.
"Our branch team were not involved in any of the reported events on Friday as we do not operate any call out service on the island - this is operated by the national society.
"We too will be making our own inquiries of the national organisation in relation to the alleged incident."
RSPCA's national organisation said the "alleged language reported was not acceptable".
But it added the officer who attended is "experienced" and known for his "compassion and professionalism".
A spokesperson said:
“We received a call from a concerned member of the public about a fox who had been severely injured in a road traffic accident.
“An RSPCA officer attended and transported the fox directly to an independent veterinary practice for a professional opinion on the fox’s condition. The examining vet euthanased the fox to prevent further pain and suffering due to unsurvivable injuries consistent with a road traffic accident.
“We rescue thousands of injured wild animals every year and we always try to do our best for every animal. Sadly, not all of these animals can be saved because of the severity of their injuries and, following the advice of veterinary professionals, have to be put to sleep on medical grounds to prevent them suffering further.
“Our frontline staff do an incredibly difficult job helping animal victims of horrific cruelty and injuries in often very challenging circumstances.
“The attending member of staff is an experienced officer who is regularly praised for his compassion and professionalism. The alleged language reported is not acceptable and this will be looked into further to establish facts.”
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