Today I had my first encounter with the RSPCA and I'm left a bit non-plussed.
I went out into the garden this morning and found a female Muntjac lying quite still, close to the top hedge. I'm used to chasing Muntjac from the garden so I approached it, clapping my hands. This one moved, but only slowly and walking on three legs. The other leg was dangling loosely and looked as though it might be broken, so I moved away and it lay down again.
I called the local office of the RSPCA and was asked by a message machine to call a national number, which I did. I reached a multiple choice menu but without too much trouble reached a staff member who asked for details and promised to speak to an "officer". In a short while, I got a call back and was asked to approach the deer to see if it moved. I pointed out that I had already done that and that if I approached too closely it was likely to go through the hedge and be lost to sight.
The caller seemed to be concerned that if an officer was sent out and the deer then moved the time of the officer would be wasted. I replied that I understood but could make no suggestion for dealing with the injured animal otherwise. The caller said she would refer to an officer and said that in the meantime would we please monitor the animal and call the RSPCA number if the deer moved away. I agreed to do this.
I watched the deer until about 12:30, but had to go to the hospital this afternoon so my wife took up the watching post.
I got back from the hospital at about 5:30 and was informed by the missus that the deer had got to its (3) feet a little while earlier; had eaten some of her spring plants and then hobbled slowly through the hedge and out of sight. She said there had been no call from the RSPCA.
I called the RSPCA, told the operator what had happened and she said that she would cancel the earlier call. That seemed to be the end of the matter, other than that she asked me if I would like to make a donation to the RSPCA.
I'm left feeling very uncomfortable at the thought that the creature lay in my garden for 6 or 7 hours and possibly in considerable pain.
What should I have done differently?