A recently dumped white Aylesbury duck at Princes Park Pond in Eastbourne, had to be rescued on Tuesday night after being attacked the previous day by a dog.
Rescuer Trevor Weeks MBE, Kathy Martyn, Chris Riddington, Rose Benians and Ollie Long attended on site.
“We sent a rescuer down earlier in the day to observe the duck and it was unclear whether the duck was injured. Our rescuer Chris was unable to catch the duck, so we decided to send a team down later in the day to ensure the rescue was as stress free as possible” said Trevor.
The duck was found close to the Wartling Road footpath bridge just outside the park. “Trevor wearing a drysuit climbed into the water. Kathy and I climbed onto the river and gravel bank whilst Rose and Ollie helped secure either end of the river in case the duck got past the other rescuers” explained Chris.
“Trevor helped guide the duck towards Chris and Kathy. The duck tried to challenge Trevor and get passed him to escape several times but Trevor was able to keep the duck heading towards the other rescuers. In a combination of running and swimming in a shallow section of the river close to the bridge, the duck attempted to get pass Chris and Kathy. Kathy was the closest and managed to dive at the duck scruffing it and getting rather wet in the process” explained Ollie.
The duck was passed up the bank and taken back to WRAS’s ambulance where he was checked over.
The duck was found to have two wounds either side of the rear of the body was a result of the dog attack as well as quite a bit of feather loss.
The Aylesbury was taken back to WRAS’s Casualty Care Centre at Whitesmith where he was assessed better and medication given to help make the duck more comfortable and safe.
This is the third such duck which WRAS has had to rescue this year. WRAS is urging people not to dump unwanted ducks on ponds like Princes Park. Apart from being illegal under the Abandonment of Animals Act, it is also very cruel and unfair on the duck which will not be used to having to compete with wild ducks for food and the territorial and feisty nature of wild ducks, geese and swans, who had also been picking on the duck.
We hope we can find a suitable safe site for the duck to be homed with one of our volunteers or with our colleagues at another rescue centre.
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