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Original poster

Dead animal in pool

383 replies

Poolproblems · 25/06/2020 15:39

We have a 15ft above ground pool in our garden (in UK). For various reasons the pool hasn't been used since last year. It can't be seen from the house due to garden layout and for various MH reasons I've not been in the garden until the last week or so.

At some point the cover has come off the pool which is now half full of stagnant water, and a dead animal (we think badger). I called the council but they are unable to remove it, Rentokil only remove animals from inside. The only company I can find want £450, and can't guarantee removal. Which I will have to pay unless I can find an alternative although it is twice what the pool cost!

Do I just need to suck it up?

OP posts:
Atalune · 15/07/2020 20:57

You can lift your water grate in your garden, lift the drain, take off the lid, get a hose and pump directly into that?

We do that with our mammoth pool.

When drain the animal be easir to lift up and out then. Vicks in your nose and lots of heavy duty bags for the remains to go into

You need a pump- have you watched any YouTube vids for the one you have?

BlackPetunia · 15/07/2020 21:02

i can't believe you are letting this linger. As the adult here, you need to sort this outfits not down to your "teens" either

how is this fair on the neighbours as well?

Original poster
Poolproblems · 15/07/2020 21:02

We have followed the pump instructions, but we couldn't get it to work. I don't know why, neither I nor the children are mechanically minded. They are quite nervous about the contents too understandably. We don't have anyone to help us, the children did ask their dad if he could assist but he said he couldn't do it.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Home improvement
toomanyplants · 15/07/2020 21:04

Good lord....it's still in there
This is grim 🤢

Original poster
Poolproblems · 15/07/2020 21:05

I have tried to pay someone to remove it. Despite contacting many different companies no one is able to do so. The fact I can't get anyone to do it for money confirms it is not an easy task that I should be capable of. The pool is some distance from our house and neighbours so is not affecting them although if we release the contents it might.

OP posts:
BlackPetunia · 15/07/2020 21:06

you are the adult and house owner op....you!

pay the money if you have to, this is unpleasant for those kids and not fair on them

wheresthehope · 15/07/2020 21:06

Pay the 450 and have it removed and pool drained

BlackPetunia · 15/07/2020 21:07

you said a few posts back that they 'may' be able to but you didnt like the £400 price tag

BumpkinSpiceBatty · 15/07/2020 21:07

I can't believe it's still in there 😬😬😬

MissRabbitIsExhausted · 15/07/2020 21:09

@Atalune

You can lift your water grate in your garden, lift the drain, take off the lid, get a hose and pump directly into that?

We do that with our mammoth pool.

When drain the animal be easir to lift up and out then. Vicks in your nose and lots of heavy duty bags for the remains to go into

You need a pump- have you watched any YouTube vids for the one you have?

Sorry op I know your struggling going in to the garden but you really need to get this sorted. It must stink to high heaven.

This seems like the next best idea if someone won't come out and drain it for you.

breatheinskipthegym · 15/07/2020 21:10

Ah, OP, I really feel for you. It’s bloody hard to sort these things out once they become catastrophic and feel too big.

Have you tried getting a pest control company to retrieve the body? By company I mean an independent, sole trader, ‘pest control guy’, not a big outfit like Rentokil etc. Without going into gory detail, in my experience they’ll be more creative and keen to help you out if you’re stuck, than the council service will be.

Good luck, I hope you get it sorted and are free of the related stress soon.

MsJaneAusten · 15/07/2020 21:13

Advertise on your local seek and sell?

“Cash job available for someone who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty. I need a dead fox removing from my pool and the pool emptied. £200. Anyone able to help?”

Original poster
Poolproblems · 15/07/2020 21:16

The company who wanted £400 can't guarantee removal nor can the ones charging £450. The first ones want £200 if they can't do it, possibly the other company is the same. I will check with them. I would pay the full amount but not if they can't do remove it. Plus they can't drain it either even if I provide the pump so I will still have to pay £200 as well for that.

I have tried to find pest control people but there are no independents round here, all franchises and they say similar things ie they will take it away but they can't get it out of the pool.

OP posts:
BlackPetunia · 15/07/2020 21:17

is it in the centre of the pool or to the side?

confusednortherner · 15/07/2020 21:18

What area are you in? If out of town have you tried the septic tank emptying people?

confusednortherner · 15/07/2020 21:19

What area are you in? If out of town have you tried the septic tank emptying people?

Original poster
Poolproblems · 15/07/2020 21:20

I think when the council men came out it was closer to the side than the middle, as they tried to move it to the side to get it out but couldn't remove it.

OP posts:
icedaisy · 15/07/2020 21:21

Have you asked on Facebook for help like lots of people suggested weeks ago? My nephew and his pal would have done it no bother.

If you show us the pump we can have a look.

Two suggestions ignored.

I know you are struggling but we are trying to help and it's only going to get worse.

NickMyLipple · 15/07/2020 21:22

I've sent you a message @Poolproblems

Original poster
Poolproblems · 15/07/2020 21:22

We are not rural however I did contact companies who drain septic tanks, and they said they could empty the pool but only if the body was removed first.

OP posts:
Original poster
Poolproblems · 15/07/2020 21:28

I haven't asked on Facebook as I thought it would be safer to get a company in to do it. I am not sure an individual could do it given the problems the council men had. I am a very private person (hence asking on an anonymous forum) and reluctant to put something like this on social media. Dealing with people in my home/ garden makes me quite nervous. We have been burgled 3 times in recent years so feel quite vulnerable.

One of our local pages does allow anonymous posts through the administrator; I will try and do that as it may be easier and less public.

OP posts:
tattychicken · 15/07/2020 21:28

Can you post the link to the pump you bought?

hippoherostandinghere · 15/07/2020 21:30

I'm going to be tough here OP you have to work this out. It's not fair putting this on to the children, no matter what age they are. How do you think having a dead animal on their garden is affecting them? I know you're suffering from MH issues and I have every sympathy for you. But this problem isn't going away. Get on FB marketplace and ask for help. Go out and put some small holes in the bottom of the sides and get some water out. Just do one positive step to solving this. For your children's sake. Have a read of the growing up in messy houses thread to see the impact this might have on your kids. I'm not saying your house is messy but this will cause all sorts of issues for the DC.

hippoherostandinghere · 15/07/2020 21:30

I'm going to be tough here OP you have to work this out. It's not fair putting this on to the children, no matter what age they are. How do you think having a dead animal on their garden is affecting them? I know you're suffering from MH issues and I have every sympathy for you. But this problem isn't going away. Get on FB marketplace and ask for help. Go out and put some small holes in the bottom of the sides and get some water out. Just do one positive step to solving this. For your children's sake. Have a read of the growing up in messy houses thread to see the impact this might have on your kids. I'm not saying your house is messy but this will cause all sorts of issues for the DC.

rosiethehen · 15/07/2020 21:30

I think you're focusing too hard on finding a company to do it.

If you put an appeal out on Facebook and offer some money, someone will do it or will know someone who will. Go to your local Facebook pages and post there. We have people helping each other all the time on our local pages.

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