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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu for leaving an injured squirrel in my garden?

71 replies

Yahboosnubs · 29/06/2015 15:27

The cat got it this morning and it had an injured leg. I've put it outside and kept the cats in to stop the torturing. I am working from home, so haven't taken it to the wildlife rescue thing 20-30 mins away by car, but could go later with the kids. (Who are young - 6 and 4 - and it might not be the best thing to do with them.)

But it's a living thing and is still going. Panting and curled up in the shade. I don't know what to do.

Am I bad for just leaving it? I'll have to let the cats out at some point. Aargh!

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 29/06/2015 15:28

Take to the local vets inside surgery hours and it will receive treatment for free.

Original poster
Yahboosnubs · 29/06/2015 15:32

I called them first and they didn't want to know (not that I pushed them on it) and gave me the number of the wildlife centre place.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 29/06/2015 15:35

Under Schedule 9 of the WCA, it is illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild, or allow one to escape.

This is probably why they aren't interested. If you trap one, you are meant to "humanely dispatch" it.

kali110 · 29/06/2015 15:36

Id take it too the vets anyway! Iv taken wild birds and rabbits my local vers before. You can't just leave it injured.

SlaggyIsland · 29/06/2015 15:36

Take it asap. I couldn't concentrate on anything else knowing a living creature was suffering in my garden and I wasn't helping it.

whatsthatcomingoverthehill · 29/06/2015 15:37

Assuming it's a grey and not red squirrel, kill it. There's too many of them around anyway. They pay people to get rid of them in some parts of the country.

Testarossa1 · 29/06/2015 15:39

We called the bat conservation trust after finding a bat in the middle of our drive last Friday afternoon. She gave me a number for a local volunteer. But said if I couldn't get in contact with that lady to take it to the vets, she said all vets have a duty of care to wildlife. I'd try the vets again or ring a different one. Have you called the wildlife place to see if they'll come and get the squirrel? It's suffering, and most likely dehydrating. you can't just leave it, that's plain cruel IMO.

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/06/2015 15:40

Under the BVA\RSPCA joint agreement if you take injured wildlife into a veterinary practice during normal surgery hours they must provide initial emergency treatment for free - this maybe euthanasia.
I am guessing you called a corporate practice who will try and get out of these responsabilities.

StayWithMe · 29/06/2015 15:41

You can't leave the poor thing suffering like that! It sounds like it's in pain and probably suffering from shock. I know they can't be released and are treated like pests but that's still not a reason for letting it suffer. If your cat was injured and suffering, would you wait?

StayWithMe · 29/06/2015 15:42

Sorry OP, that sounded very snippy, I just hate the thought of an animal suffering.

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 29/06/2015 15:49

You shouldn't leave it to suffer. Either take it to a vet (be very careful in handling it, though - they bite. Use a large, thick towel to pop it into your carrying basket) or despatch it as humanely as you can.

Yes, grey squirrels are a nuisance, but shouldn't be left to die unnecessarily in pain and discomfort.

BabyGanoush · 29/06/2015 15:51

You may just need to kill it

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 29/06/2015 15:52

I'd Dh to finish it off quickly.

19lottie82 · 29/06/2015 15:53

Squirrels are vermin. Pretty much just rats, but cuter looking. Would everyone be so concerned about taking it to the vets if it were a rat?

19lottie82 · 29/06/2015 15:54

in all honesty, just put it out of it's misery.

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/06/2015 15:55

Well Lottie I euthanase injured rats when people bring them in just the same as injured squirrels. Yes vermin, but don't need to suffer.

anonymice · 29/06/2015 15:59

Take it to the vets. They will help most creatures. They put down an injured pigeon for me. Another 'vermin' species yes, but vermin still feel pain....

Testarossa1 · 29/06/2015 15:59

Agree Lone, no animal needs to suffer and die slowly, painfully and in fear.. Cute or otherwise.

Floralnomad · 29/06/2015 16:00

Quite frankly you would have been kinder to have let the cat finish it off than just leaving it there to suffer , I always take injured wild things to the vet and let them deal with it .

Original poster
Yahboosnubs · 29/06/2015 16:01

I just went to check on it and it had gone! But then I spotted it under a chair. It then lurched off at my approach, so it's got a second wind and is clearly not at death's door. Thus I don't want it put down. But I don't want to pay for the vet to sort it out, frankly. Aargh. Bloody cats.

OP posts:
anonymice · 29/06/2015 16:02

you don't have to pay the vet. They have never asked me for money to put down an injured wild animal.

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/06/2015 16:03

The vet won't charge you.

19lottie82 · 29/06/2015 16:03

Lone I'm not suggesting it should be left to suffer, I'm just saying that they are vermin, like rats, so would all the posters suggesting the OP takes it to the vets, be giving the same advice, if it was a rat?

Seems everything is OK now though.

WanderWomble · 29/06/2015 16:08

Wild animals can be very good at hiding injuries. Take the poor thing to the vet. They'll most likely put it to sleep but it won't be suffering any longer.

BubGal13 · 29/06/2015 16:10

Humans are vermin too if you broke your leg due to someone’s dog biting you, would you like to just lie there suffering while others commented saying "oh yea just bash her over the head and be done with it"? Cant believe this attitude, and can’t believe you OP- they were your cats you bear the responsibility and should be feeling seriously guilty despite being at home- you have just left it there? It is suffering physical pain confusion and fear just as you would feel in the same situation, , so do the right thing and take it to the vet- NOW.