Dead animal in pool

[Poolproblems]

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?

This sounds really tough op. Have you tried contacting cleaning firms who specialize in biological waste?

You just need a few kind neighbours to help you troubleshoot this. It must be so hard trying to find solutions alone, especially with mental health problems. I hope someone kind responds to your Facebook post with some ideas.

If you did get a gardener they may be able to help drain the water.

OP what help are you getting with your MH?

It seems pretty severe if it stops you going in your own garden. Can you go outside at all to parks, shops, school? You really do need some healthcare input, or more than you currently have. This is no way to live.

Quite frankly it isn't safe for your kids to have a pool out of sight of the house and their only resident parent unable to supervise them in it, so best the pool goes altogether. Why did you buy it?

I forgot to say, the easy way to get your pool valves working is to stick a hose into them, it opens them up and keeps them open. This happened with mine. You don't need the pump.

are you relaying the pump instructions to your kids from the house? Are you even going out to the pool, and have you seen the animal? How can you expect your kids to sort this for you? How old are they?

Sorry for all the questions, but there is a lot of missing info that might help people understand the situation better.

I feel for you OP.
Regarding the pump, is there a handy neighbour that can help you with that. If not you need to take it back and get one that works.

What about a robust specialist cleaning service - the Kind that deals with crime scenes etc. Try googling specialist cleaner your area.

Slash a large hole in the side of the pool, let everything drain out, hopefully the body will washout with the water, then call council again to remove body.

@BendyLikeBeckham if you take the time to read the thread you will see that the OP has answered all your questions.

You are extremely judgemental.

OP also states her kids are teenagers, this means they could be up to the age of 19.
@Poolproblems ignore the ignorant repetitive comments from people wading in without bothering reading the thread.

OP you have to let the water out. I get the MH issues and that you are scared to go out there but you need to do this.

.

DH is in drainage now and could empty the pool in minutes. Once empty someone could just roll the whole pool up, dead body and all and remove to disposal point.

Try another drainage firm, just to empty the water. It'll take them minutes. Then just a local waste disposal company to collect the rest

I would call a local handyman - we have a few locally- ask if they'd help? Anyone looking for work or just kindly might come out and sort it out. You can say you are happy to pay 150 - then if they offer to come back and clean the pool you can add to that.

Throwing it away seems wrong.

@Bluemoooon

Throwing it away seems wrong.

Sorry so what actually would you propose? Op is struggling to find a solution now never mind adding this in to the mix

Can't believe this hasn't been sorted yet. OP I get it, I have anxiety too but not about the garden. My anxiety would be worsened by a growing problem like this that wasn't going away so I would deal with it in order to feel calmer. I would get onto Nextdoor - there's lots of people offering to do odd jobs for cash at the moment and some wouldn't be phased by this at all. Failing that some very nice Mumsnetters have offered help, I've seen them, take the help, get it sorted, this must be agony for you.

someone is coming tomorrow to see if he can do it. He has said he won't charge if he can't which is kind. I will see if he can get the pump to work as well and pump it out if I pay him extra.

I do appreciate all the kind offers of help. However this is something horrible that I should have realised sooner if I went in the garden more regularly or at all.

Some of the garden issues are to do with bullying and victimisation from a group of neighbors which goes back years, since it started i spend less and less time outside until now basically none. if i am inside then I am away from them. If I could build a roof over my garden, or move well away from everyone, I would. I like being outside, but not here, not out there.

Oh bless you OP, I really hope that this person tomorrow can sort it!

This is great news, well done Pool. You'll be so relieved to get some help. Fingers crossed he's successful. I'm sorry you've had a rough time.

Great. Fingers crossed for you.

Ikea bags?

That sounds hopeful. You are far nearer sorting this than you were three days ago, which is wonderful. You are really making progress.

Good news - fingers crossed. Please do think about long term - is there any way you could look to move? It’s not good to be too frightened to go into your own garden because of hostile neighbours.

Really hope you get it sorted today.
Like pp said is there any way of you being able to move?
It may help you've mental health massively is you managed to move away from your neighbours.