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?

Our pool is like this - I got it v cheaply at the time, they are more like about £500.

If I can replace the inner bit that would seem less wasteful than scrapping it completely and hopefully cheaper.

You can buy/hire portable pumps. A local tool hire place will hire out industrial type ones. Once the water was low I’d get in there with boots on and a really heavy duty bag such as a big compost bag and get It in there.

Float it out, just overfill your pool and bobs your uncle.

You will be able to replace it for less then it will cost you to fix.

Let's hope it's not Uncle Bob, bobbing. (You had me at "dead badger" & "suck it up")

Just have them take the pool away. There is no sanitising regime to ever be enough to let kids back in the death tank.

If you did get it out of the pool, you could bury it in your garden. Wait for it to decompose and then you'll have a nice animal skull. Or not.

Get rid of the pool with the poor creature in it. You will never forget the smell and sight of it and it will possibly be ingrained it the material of the pool anyway.

It might be best not to replace the pool if you are not coping too well and will be unable to keep it safe.

Pay up. and get rid of the pool. yuk

I don't think they will take the pool away as well. I would have to get someone else to do that.

If we cut a hole in it the dirty water will go everywhere. I'm thinking might be better to pump it out, if I can get a pump.

I'd also ask on FB. Someone will take it away for an amount agreeable to you both.

Then drain the pool and disinfect which will be a big job, as it needs to be done properly.

How are you sure it isn't someone's cat? If it could be a fox, it could also be a cat.

I have a horrible feeling this is going to turn out to be someone’s cat. I don’t see what else would have been able to get in to your garden or get in to the pool.

I think you’re just going to have to pay the £250 and get it dealt with. It’s very unhygienic to leave it there any longer than necessary now that you know it’s there, and if you can’t/won’t do it yourself then you haven’t got another option. I agree that cutting a hole in it and flooding your garden with corpse water is probably not a very good idea.

My husband would help no worries if we are close, Hampshire, near Winchester.

Sadly nowhere near Hampshire but that is very kind.

I think it's probably a fox if not a badger. We have more foxes than cats locally.

Having spoken to my children they have asked that we pay to get it removed. I misread the pool co's response. It is £200 just to remove. We'd have to drain it ourselves, I can get a pump locally for £50 though. So same difference I guess.

The children are happy to lose the pool entirely though I feel bad about it, they've barely ever had chance to use it for one reason and another.

So the plan currently is they remove animal (they can come in 7-10 days) then we pump out and dispose of it all.

Offer it free on FB to anyone willing to come and empty it and take it away. Someone might be willing for a free pool .

I would buy a small water pump. www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfcraft-2207000-Water-Pump-3-000/dp/B0001P197M/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=water+pump&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1593106796&sr=8-9

And some hose. lead down an outside drain at a slow pace- over a day or two.

Where are you? Drain the pool and I'll come and do it for 50 quid plus travel 😆. Plenty face masks available just now for the smell and shovel in to a heavy duty waste bag!

Sorry you're getting a hard time from some of the posters OP. Pretty harsh for something that's an accident.

@Ringsender2

Sorry you're getting a hard time from some of the posters OP. Pretty harsh for something that's an accident.

If the OP had taken proper care then it wouldn't have happened, the OP was negligent and an animal has died as a result. That's not harsh, it's realistic and reasonable.

@Poolproblems

So the plan currently is they remove animal (they can come in 7-10 days) then we pump out and dispose of it all.

You're going to leave a dead animal in a pool in a heatwave for 7-10days

How would a badger climb into a pool? That's ridiculous. Also, if you're that negligent, you need to get a grip and get it out yourself.

I emptied the pool and it was covered with the cover that came with the pool and tied down. I hadn't left it full of water deliberately. I am a lone parent and managing house and garden is hard work. The company can't send anyone for a week, so I can't do anything before then. Even if I could remove it myself, I wouldn't be able to dispose of it as the local refuse dump is closed, possibly I could get the council guys out to pick up again but that's assuming I could get it out myself anyway. Please try and put yourself in my position and not to be so judgemental.

I can't do it myself, I can't be any clearer.
These replies are really not helping my MH issues.