At 8.45am today (Thursday 21st May 2009) International Animal Rescue, based at Uckfield received a call about a male fallow deer caught in stock fencing near Maresfield. Alan Knight OBE instantly called on support from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) to help. Trevor Weeks, Kathy Martyn and Alan Knight were on site within the hour and found the deer had managed to get free by dislocating its rear left hock joint (ankle).
Local resident Mr and Mrs Kemsley put notices up on the footpaths to warn dog walkers of the deer casualty to prevent the deer panicking or being attacked.
Rescuers had to catch the deer by its rear legs as it attempted to crawl through the hedgerow and gently managed to pull the deer back through and out into the field. "This was a large male fallow deer and they can be very strong and powerful animals. They are able to give you a nasty kick and cause serious injury if you are not careful" said Trevor Weeks, Rescue Co-ordinator for East Sussex WRAS.
Once secure the rescuers were able to assess the deer's injuries. "The hock joint was pulled apart and the bone exposed, but I was able to clean the wound up quite easily and realign the bone back into the socket" said Trevor, "the wound was treated and bandage up and we were able to provide emergency veterinary treatment with the support and advice of our locum vet and veterinary staff from St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital too."
Using straw provided kindly by Sussex Horse Rescue Trust, we bedded down the deer in the back of our Veterinary Ambulance and it was then rushed up to the specialist veterinary staff at St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire and was monitored throughout the journey using a new on board CCTV system.
"The deer was placed on an Intravenous Infusion and given antibiotics on arrival before being x-rayed. Unfortunately the hip was dislocated but the veterinary staff are hopefully that the deer will recover from its injuries and be able to be released" said Trevor.
"This is a good example of how independent charities are working together for the benefit of the animals they are trying to help and on this occasion really helped this deer and saved its life. I would like to thank Alan Knight from International Animal Rescue for his help, Sussex Horse Rescue for providing the straw and to all the staff at St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital for their great help and support" said Trevor.
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Press Contact: Trevor Weeks, East Sussex WRAS, 07931 523958
Alan Knight, International Animal Rescue, 01825-767688
